EXPLO-DYNAMICS™: a method, system, and apparatus for the containment and conversion of explosive force into a usable energy resource

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating energy from a process contained series of explosion cycles is provided. The Explo-Dynamics™ energy generating system includes several embodiments for stimulating the heat and pressure release episodes of the process configurations and translating the released forces into torque, thrust, motive force, and/or super-heat impulses. The methods and systems of the present invention include a comprehensive arrangement of process configurations and components as well as a means of operation.

PRIORITY CLAIMS

The invention of the present application claims priority based on U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/832,585, filed on Jul. 24, 2006,entitled, “EXPLO-DYNAMICS: A Method, System, Protocol and Apparatus forthe Containment and Conversion of Explosive Force into a Usable EnergyResource,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

Additionally, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/852,641, filed onOct. 18, 2006, entitled “EXPLOGEN: An Energy Development ResourceMethod, System, Protocol, and Apparatus for the Thermo-DynamicGeneration, Dissociation, and/or Conversion of Steam,” is a commonlyowned, co-pending application, which is related to the presentapplication and portions of which are also incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,349,538 February 2002 Hunter, Jr., et al  60/2045,456,066 October 1995 Smith, et al  60/775 5,313,915 May 1994 McDowellet al 123/23 5,271,357 December 1993 Hsu, et al 123/23 5,161,377 October1992 Muller, et al  60/653 5,109,666 May 1992 Eickmann  60/39.4644,907,565 March 1990 Bailey et al 123/23 4,809,503 March 1989 Eickmann 60/39.464 4,393,818 July 1983 Lefnaer 123/23 4,359,970 November 1982Wolters 123/23 4,336,771 June 1982 Perkins 123/23 4,335,684 June 1982Davis 123/1A 4,300,482 November 1981 Tinkham 123/23 4,209,983 July 1990Sokol  60/325 4,077,367 March 1978 Steiger 123/23 4,070,997 January 1978Steiger 123/23 4,056,080 November 1977 Rutz, et al 123/23 4,052,963October 1977 Steiger 123/23 2,396,524 March 1946 Nettel 123/23 1,921,132August 1933 Pawlikowski 123/23 1,914,672 June 1933 Pawlikowski 123/231,897,819 February 1933 Pawlikowski 123/23 1,861,379 May 1932 Bowes123/23 1,696,475 December 1928 Elliott et al 123/23 1,645,836 October1927 Van Deventer 123/23 1,191,072 July 1916 Fessenden 123/23 820,495May 1906 Honeywell  60/39.55 RE11,900 April 1901 Diesel 123/27R

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

-   Eckhoff, R. F., Dust Explosions in the Process Industries (3rd    Edition), Gulf Professional Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7506-7602-7.-   Lebecki, K., Sliz, J., Dyduch, Z., Wolanski, P. Critical Dust Layer    Thickness for Combustion of Grain Dust. Publication by American    Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, pp. 51-58-   Elaine S. Oran and Alexei M. Khokhlov. “Numerical Simulations of    Gas-Phase Deflagration-to-Detonation Transition.” Laboratory for    Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics Naval Research Laboratory,    Washington D.C., USA.-   Goodenough, G. A. and G. T. Felback; An Investigation of the Maximum    Temperatures and Pressures Attainable in the Combustion of Gaseous    and Liquid Fuels. Univ. of Illinois Bull. 139, March 1924, 160 pp.-   S. H. R. Hosseini, K. Tanaka, T. Saito, K. Takayama. “Study of    diverging and converging spherical shock waves induced by micro    explosives” Interdisciplinary Shock Wave Research Center, Institute    of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba, Sendai    980-8577 JAPAN-   Kenneth L. Cashdollar. “Overview of dust explosibility    characteristics” Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, National Institute    for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, Pa., USA-   Soehngen, Erich E. “The Development of Coal-Burning Diesel Engines    in Germany: A State-of-the-Art Review.” United States Energy    Research and Development Administration. August 1976.    FE/WAPO/3387-1.-   J. M. Austin, M. Cooper, S. Jackson, E. Wintenberger, J. E.    Shepherd, B. Sturtevant. “Direct impulse measurements for    detonations and deflagrations.” Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories,    California Institute of Technology. Jul. 13, 2000. Explosion    Dynamics Laboratory Report FM00-5-   M. Grunthaner, S. I. Jackson, and J. E. Shepherd. “Design and    Construction of an Annular Detonation Initiator.” Graduate    Aeronautical Laboratories, California Institute of Technology,    Pasadena, Calif. 91125. Sep. 28, 2001. GALCIT Report FM: 2001.005-   Kenneth L. Cashdollar and Isaac A. Zlochower. “Explosion    Temperatures of Metals and Other Elemental Dust Clouds.” Pittsburgh    Research Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and    Health. 2006.-   National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 654 Standard for the    Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing,    Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids. Quincy,    Mass.: NFPA, 2000.-   Palmer, K. N. Dust Explosions and Fires. London: Chapman and Hall.    1973.-   Jerald A. Caton and Ken D. Kihm. “Characterization of Coal-Water    Slurry Fuel Sprays from Diesel Engine Injectors: Topical Report.”    Texas A&M University. U.S. Dept of Energy Contact No.    DOE/MC/23174-3490.-   J. A. Caton and B. D. Hsu, “The General Electric Coal-Fueled Diesel    Engine Program (1982-1993): A Technical Review,” ASME    Transactions—Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, Vol.    116, No. 4, pp. 749-757, October 1994.-   J. A. Caton and K. Annamalai, “Performance and Emissions of    Coal-Fueled Engines Using Group Combustion Theory” Proceedings of    the Annual Heat Engines and Gas Stream Cleanup Systems Contractors    Review Meeting, U.S. Department of Energy, Morgantown Energy    Technology Center, pp. 173-178, June 1988.-   J. A. Caton and K. H. Rosegay, “An Analysis of Solid Particle    Combustion in an IC Engine Environment,” Central States Section    Spring Meeting of the Combustion Institute, Lexington, Ky., Paper    No. CSS/CI 83-02, 21 Mar. 1983.-   J. A. Caton, “The Development of Coal-Fueled Diesel Engines: A Brief    Review,” 1992 Energy Information Annual, Bowker A&I    Publishing, R. R. Bowker, Reed Publishing (USA), Inc., Vol. 17, pp.    A89-A97, 1993.-   R. K. Eckhoff. Current status and expected future trends in dust    explosion research. Dept. of Physics and Technology, University of    Bergen, Norway.-   SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineering) Handbook of Fire    Protection Engineering, National Fire Protection Association. 2nd    Edition, 1995. 1,589 pp.-   C. J. M. Van Wingerden and J. P. Zeeuwen, Investigation of the    Explosion-Enhancing Properties of a Pipe-Rack-Like Obstacle Array,    Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics Vol. 106, 1986, 53.-   C. K. Chan, I. O. Moen and J. H. S. Lee, Influence of Confinement on    Flame Acceleration Due to Repeated Obstacles, Comb. & Flame 49,    1983, 27-39.-   M. Kuzenetsov, V. Alekseev, A. BezmeInitsyn, W. Breitung, S.    Dorofeev, I. Matsukov, A. Veser and Yu. Yankin, Effect of Obstacle    Geometry on Behavior of Turbulent Flames, IAE-6137/3 FZKA-6328,    1999.-   J. H. S. Lee, R. Knystautas and C. K. Chan, Turbulent Flame    Propagation in Obstacle-Filled Tubes, In 20th Symposium    (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, 1985,    1663-1672.-   C. K. Chan, J. H. S. Lee, I. O. Moen and P. Thibault, Turbulent    Flame Acceleration and Pressure Development in Tubes, In Proc. of    the First Specialist Meeting (International) of the Combustion    Institute, Bordeaux, France, 1981, 479-484.-   B. H. Hjertager, K. Fuhre, S. J. Parker and J. R. Bakke, Flame    Acceleration of Propane-Air in Large-Scale Obstacled Tube, Progress    in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 94, AIAA, 1983, 504-522.-   A. E. Dahoe. “Laminar burning velocities of hydrogen-air mixtures    from closed vessel gas explosions.” Faculty of Engineering,    University of Ulster, FireSERT (Block 27), Co. Antrim, Shore Road,    Newtownabbey BT37 OQB, Northern Ireland, UK Journal of Loss    Prevention in the Process Industries 18 (2005) 152-166-   I. O. Moen, J. H. S. Lee, G. H. Hjertager, K. Fuhre and R. K.    Eckhoff, Pressure Development due to Turbulent Flame Acceleration in    Large-Scale Methane-Air Explosions, Combustion and Flame, Vol. 47,    1982, 31-52.-   H. Pfortner, H. Schneider, W. Drenkhahn and C. Koch, Flame    Acceleration and Build-Up in Partially Confined Clouds, Presented at    the 9th International Colloquium on Dynamics of Explosions and    Reactive Systems, Poitiers, France, 1983.-   A. A. Borisov, B. E. Gelfand, G. I. Skachkov et al., Selfignition of    Gaseous Mixtures by Focusing of Reflected Shock Waves, Chimicheskaya    Phisika, Vol. 7, No. 12, 1988, 1387.-   A. Borisov, B. Gelfand, G. Skatchkov, et al., Ignition of Gaseous    Combustible Mixtures in Focused Shock Waves, Current Topics in Shock    Waves, Proc. of the 17th ISSW, AIP, N.Y., 1990, 696-701.-   C. K. Chan, D. Lau, P. A. Thibault and J. D. Penrose, Ignition and    Detonation Initiation by Shock Focussing, 17th International    Symposium on Shock Waves and Shock Tubes, Lehigh University,    Bethlehem, Pa., USA, Jul. 17-21, 1989, AIP Proceedings 208, 1990,    161-166.-   C. K. Chan, Initiation of Detonation Induced by a Focused Shock    Wave, 15th International Colloquium on Explosion and Reactive    Systems, 1994.-   O. V. Achasov, A. A. Labuda, O. G. Penzijakov and R. M. Pushkin,    Shock Waves Initiation of Detonation in Semiclosed Cavity,    Chimicheskaya Phisika, Vol. 12, No. 5, 1993, 714-716.-   J. H. S. Lee and I. O. Moen, The Mechanisms of Transition from    Deflagration to Detonation in Vapor Cloud Explosions, Progress in    Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 6, 1980, 359-389.-   A. Veser, W. Breitung, G. Engel, G. Stern and A. Kotchourko,    Deflagration-to-Detonation-Transition Experiments in Shock Tube and    Obstacle Array Geometries, Report FZKA-6355, Research Center    Karlsruhe, 1999.-   A. D Craven and D. R. Greig, The Development of Detonation    OverPressures in Pipelines, Chem E Symposium Series 25, 1968, 41-50.-   S. M. Kogarko, Investigation of the Pressure at the End of a Tube in    Connection with Rapid Nonstationary Combustion, Soviet    Physics—Technical Physics (ZhTF) 28:2041.-   M. D. Checkel and A. Thomas, Turbulent Combustion of Premixed Flames    in Closed Vessels, Combustion and Flame, Vol. 96, 1994, 351-370.-   R. Smock. Diesel engine makers take a stab at burning coal directly.    Power Engineering. Vol. 92, No. 5. May 1988. 52-54.-   ASTM E1515-03a Standard Test Method for Minimum Explosible    Concentration of Combustible Dusts-   ASTM E 1226-05 Standard Test Method for Pressure and Rate of    Pressure Rise for Combustible Dusts-   ASTM E789 Test Method for Pressure and Rate of Pressure Rise for    Dust Explosions in a 1.2-Litre Closed Cylindrical Vessel-   ISO 6184/1 Explosion Protection Systems, Part 1, Determination of    Explosion Indices of Combustible Dusts in Air-   NFPA 68 Guide for Deflagration Venting-   VDI-3673 Pressure Release of Dust Explosions-   National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 68 Guide for Venting of    Deflagrations. Quincy, Mass.: NFPA, 2002.-   S. H. R. Hosseini and K. Takayama “Implosion of a spherical shock    wave reflected from a spherical wall.” Tohoku University Biomedical    Engineering Research Organization, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba, Sendai    980-8577, Japan. 2004.-   H. Miura and I. I. Glass, On a dusty-gas shock tube, Proc. R. Soc.    Lond. A382, 373 (1982).-   H. Miura and I. I. Glass, On the passage of a shock wave through a    dusty-gas layer, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A385, 85 (1983).-   H. Miura and I. I. Glass, Development of the flow induced by a    piston moving impulsively in a dusty gas, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A397,    295 (1985).-   H. Miura, T. Saito, and I. I. Glass, Shock-wave reflection from a    rigid wall in a dusty gas, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A404, 55 (1986).-   H. Miura and I. I. Glass, Oblique shock waves in a dusty-gas flow    over a wedge, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A408, 61 (1986).-   H. Miura and I. I. Glass, Supersonic expansion of a dusty gas around    a sharp corner, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A415, 91 (1988).-   B. Otterman and A. S. Levine, Analysis of gas-solid particle flows    in shock tubes, AIAA J. 12(5), 579 (1974).-   I. I. Glass. Over forty years of continuous research at UTIAS on    nonstationary flows and shock waves. Shock Waves Journal. Springer    Berlin/Heidelberg Volume 1, Number 1/March 1991. pp. 75-86.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to energy producing systems and methods.More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present inventionrelates to power generation systems and methods; in which, a series ofprocess contained and controlled explosion events generate heat andpressure episodes, which are harnessed to deliver a smooth delivery ofpower output for generating electricity or providing mobility to avehicle or process system. Still more particularly, the presentinvention relates to a method of using a wide variety of fuel substancesin either singular or combined mixtures; whereas, these fuel resourcesare suspended in the process system as a dispersed airborne fuel cloud,which may be comprised of pulverized solids and/or gases and/or aerosoldroplets in a broad range of mixture scenarios designed to stimulate andmaximize the desired reaction with the least amount of fuel beingconsumed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior Art

Dust explosions have destroyed life and property for centuries and haveestablished themselves as an enemy to the welfare of mankind. The intentof the present invention is to harness this unique manner of force andtransform its output pulse power into a safe and efficient energyresource.

In 1893, Dr. Rudolf Diesel set forth on a German financed mission todevelop an engine to burn a surplus of coal dust stockpiles, which werecommon in that period of world history. Dr. Diesel injected coal dustinto the combustion chamber of his experimental engine prototype and theengine subsequently exploded thus ending Diesel's attempts at using coaldust as a fuel source.

Since Diesel's failed attempt toward developing a dust fuel engine, mostefforts at harnessing the power potential of solid dust fuels haverevolved around the conventional methodology of either liquefying thedust in a solution with another liquid fuel source (U.S. Pat. Nos.5,313,915, 5,271,357, and 4,335,684), changing the physical state of thefuel to a gas (U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,565), or by trying to adapt a pistonengine to fire the dust in a variation somewhat similar to the mannerregular liquid fuels are processed in an internal combustion engine.(Reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,809,503; 4,393,818; 4,359,970; 4,336,771;4,300,482; 4,077,367; 4,070,997; 4,056,080; 4,052,963; 2,396,524;1,921,132; 1,914,672; 1,897,819; 1,861,379; 1,696,475; 1,645,836; and1,191,072).

The science of airborne dust explosions is still relatively new. In1910, at the U.S. Bureau of Mines' Pittsburgh Mining Experiment Station,it was discovered that airborne dust alone could propagate an explosion.Prior to this discovery, mining history held to a popular belief that ittook a mixture of methane and coal dust to initiate an explosion.

Most attempts at harnessing the power potential of explosive force havebeen to divert the explosive force into a spring-loaded or other storedforce mechanism for controlled release into an energy generatingmechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,377 issued in November 1992, explained aBLEVE mechanism for generating power via an explosion of a flammableliquid droplet as it rises as a bubble through a heated column of denserinert liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,983, issued in July 1980, explained a mechanism forusing electrical arc explosions to expand liquids and drive a turbine.The invention proposed herein is does not rely upon electrical energy asa fuel or driving force, but only utilizes electrical energy to initiatea firing sequence and is dependant upon a fuel resource to provide theexplosive thrust and thus drive the power generation componentry.

Otherwise to date, the only universally recognized use of explosiveenergy for power is in the area of propulsion such as missile or rocket(U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,538)

The invention proposed herein is unique and has notable differenceseasily recognizable to those skilled in the art.

PROBLEMS WITH CURRENT ART

For a wide variety of reasons well understood by all, alternative energyresources are greatly desired throughout the world at large. Energyresources that offer both economical and environmental benefits haveuniversally sought after for decades.

Historical attempts at developing solid-fueled engines have been lessthan successful. Further, conventional hydrocarbon-based electricalenergy production technologies have long been substantial contributorsto the global pollution scenario.

The vast majority of all research, relative to explosive dust, wasdesigned to prevent, not to propagate, explosions. The present inventionhas taken great benefit from the vast libraries of dust explosionresearch that has been conducted over the past half century inparticular. Even in the early 1960s, the Bureau of Mines had conductedthousands of experiments on hundreds of different materials relative tothe ignitability and explosivity reaction mechanics of various types ofdust clouds.

Several of the major reasons explosive dusts have not been previouslyharnessed as an energy resource is that:

-   -   1. the dust concentrations were unpredictable;    -   2. the energy released from such explosion events was too        violent and powerful to be safely contained within conventional        internal combustion engines; and    -   3. there was no suitable method available to translate pulse        explosive power into a stable output of energy.

The present invention, herein referred to as “Explo-Dynamics,” accountsfor, and overcomes these historical obstacles with a novel arrangementof methods and apparatus. Further, the present invention offers anenergy production system that is safe, environmentally friendly,economical, and reliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Introduction

The present energy technology invention is based upon using a series ofprocess contained and controlled explosion events to generate heat andpressure episodes, which are harnessed in and through the process todeliver a smooth delivery of power output for generating electricity orproviding mobility to a vehicle or process system.

This energy technology invention is also based upon using a wide varietyof fuel substances in either singular or combined mixtures. These fuelresources are suspended in the Ignition Chamber of the process system asa dispersed airborne fuel cloud, which may be comprised of pulverizedsolids and/or gases and/or aerosol droplets in a broad range of mixturescenarios designed to stimulate and maximize the desired reaction withthe least amount of fuel being consumed.

Although, this invention can be used in either a variation of aninternal combustion engine or as an external combustion engine powersource configuration, it will most likely be used in a dual or combinedrole configurations, which possesses certain attributes of severalembodiment variations presented herein.

This invention is herein described and referred to as the ExploDynamics™technology or energy system. The Explo-Dynamics process differs fromother prior art endeavors because the basic intent of this invention wasnot to make the fuel source or the explosive reaction comply with theengine, but rather to develop an engine or power production mechanism touse the unique energy produced in an explosion event and convert thispulse energy into a safe, smoothly consistent, and economical means ofgenerating power.

Through the various embodiments described herein, it is the aim of thepresent invention to provide an energy production system that addressesone or more problems of the prior art. It is also an aim of the presentinvention to provide explosive reaction driven energy generation methodsand describe several embodiments incorporated said energy system andwell as demonstrate several apparatus components contained therein.

It is yet another aim of particular embodiments of the present inventionto provide an energy production method, which derives all or part of itsfuel supply from pulverized particulate substances suspended in anairborne atmosphere within the process system.

It is an aim of particular embodiments of the present invention toprovide an explosion-based process system; whereas, the heat and/orpressure release episode of each explosion cycle is used to transform animpulse of stimulated force into a usable source of power providingtorque or thrust for powering a generator or providing motive force to avehicle or process.

Explosive Energy

The process of combusting an ignitable dust substance is well known andunderstood. However, the science of creating an explosion of a suspendedairborne ignitable dust cloud in a confined process is not generallywell known or understood. The present invention focuses upon this littleknown and less understood explosive energy phenomena. Whereas, underthese circumstances, a relatively insignificant amount of fuel cangenerate a surprisingly powerful release of force. In this processarrangement arena, many common substances, such as coal or grain dust,can deliver more explosive force, per given unit of weight, than anequivalent weight of TNT explosive.

Although the Explo-Dynamics technology was originally focused upon thebase concept of inducing an explosion within a contained and controlledprocess system fueled by an airborne ignitable dust cloud, theExplo-Dynamics process can use a variety of gaseous, vapor, or aerosolfuels in a wide variety of mixture scenarios. This fuels blendingcomponent allows the explosion dynamics of the process to be fine-tunedto deliver more output force per unit of input fuel.

The Explo-Dynamics system brings potential for greater efficiency andeconomy to the science of extracting energy from fossil fuels and . . .. Explo-Dynamics opens up a whole new series of alternate fuel supplyand renewable energy possibilities.

The Explo-Dynamics system is unique; in that, its processes areefficient for large-scale fuel-to-energy conversion application and yetExplo-Dynamics has great potential for application in small-scale ormicro-power generation facilities in remote areas where hydrocarbonfuels are not available or affordable. For these applications, theflexibility offered by the Explo-Dynamics system allows rather simpleprocesses to be employed at comparable minimal capital and operationalcost.

Some feedstocks, like coal, have a marketable value; other feedstockseither do not have a marketable value or even have a disposal costliability. By being able to use and process non-typical fuel stocks, theExplo-Dynamics invention brings a new range of fuel source possibilitieswithin reach.

The Explo-Dynamics™ Process System

The two foundational principles of the Explo-Dynamics technology are:

-   Principle 1—To use explosive force in a contained process as a means    of performing one or more of the following functions:    -   a. provide a means of accelerated thermal heat to provide for        steam conversion to generate energy via a conventional steam        turbine electrical generation process;    -   b. provide a direct means of pressure impulse thrust to a system        designed to convert said pulse energy into a more stable energy        source;    -   c. provide a force means for displacing a fluid and thereby        creating propulsion flow of fluid through a process system        designed to capture energy from said flow; and/or    -   d. provide a means of supplying accelerated thermal heat to        conventional as well as non-conventional energy conversion        and/or industrial process operations.-   Principle 2—To mix and suspend a concentration of ignitable    nano-particles and micro-particles, and/or aerosols, vapors, or    gasses, in a turbulent airborne fuel cloud and thereby propagate an    explosion of this fuel cloud as a means of generating force for    subsequent energy conversion purposes.

Foundational Process Considerations

There are several key process considerations involved in the processmechanics of the Explo-Dynamics system. They are:

-   -   As the particle size decreases the specific surface area will        increase.    -   The violence of the dust explosion increases as the particle        size decreases.    -   The ease of ignition increases as the particle size decreases.    -   The explosion severity increases as the required ignition energy        decreases.    -   The explosion severity increases as LEL and/or MEC decreases.    -   During an explosion event the shockwave travels faster than the        face of the combustion flame front.    -   In certain process configurations, the explosion shockwave acts        as a piston to drive an air-gas compression episode ahead of the        ensuing flame front.    -   The ratio of absolute pre-explosion pressure to maximum        explosion pressure remains consistent; therefore, as        pre-explosion Ignition Chamber pressures are elevated, the        resultant MEP is exponentially increased as well.    -   Confined explosions generate heat pulses, which exceed the        normally achievable combustion temperature of the fuel by means        of adiabatic enhancement and shockwave turbulence.

PROBLEMS SOLVED

In accordance with the present invention, the above, and other problems,are solved by the following:

I. Advantages of Efficiency and Economy A. Hyper-ThermodynamicStimulation Methods

It is generally understood that explosions occurring within a confinedvessel generate an impulse of pressure and heat; whereas, thetemperatures achieved in the impulse moment exceed those associated withthe normal combustion of the fuel. The pressure of the confinedexplosion episode is a component of this increase.

Recent research findings have shown that manipulated impulsetemperatures can almost double the normal heat of combustion for acertain fuel-air mixtures. In fact, many fuel mixtures can be stimulatedto exceed 4,000° Fahrenheit and some studies have demonstrated impulsespikes above 7,500° F. These impulse events are short duration eventsusually measured in milliseconds; therefore the respective containmentvessel is not melted by the episode as would quickly be the case in theevent these temperatures were constant over longer durations.

The present invention makes use of this unique energy impulseopportunity by matching the output of the thermodynamic release episodeto the work (steam conversion load) to be accomplished. This impulseoccurs so quickly that normal heat losses to the cylinder walls orsystem componentry are not as pronounced as those attributable to thesecomponents within a regular internal combustion engine. Thus in one ormore of the embodiments of this invention, the power generated israpidly and more efficiently translated into the conversion of steam.

In several embodiments of this energy production invention, the processsystem and the procedure employed, collectively stimulate an acceleratedreaction of the explosion episode and raise the heat impulse of thereaction's output. Several process mechanisms participate in thisfunction:

1. Adiabatic Influence

As air is compressed, it heats up in proportion to the force ofcompression. This compression heat phenomena, commonly referred to asadiabatic pressure, provides the fuel ignition mechanism for regulardiesel engines. Adiabatic influence is an integrated component of theExplo-Dynamics process as well; however, the adiabatic stimulation rolein this invention does not serve primarily as an ignition mechanism, butrather as a super-heating mechanism. When an explosion occurs inside acontained process system, in an instant much compression occurs thusadditional heat is added to the reaction. This phenomenon is commonlyreferred to as pressure piling or pre-compression. Accordingly, thisinvention is designed to adiabatically influence an increase in thethermal output of each explosion cycle, which translates into moreimpulse heat per unit of fuel consumed.

Adiabatic compression forces are difficult to calculate given the manyconfiguration options available, but it should be noted that combustionheat increases of 1,000° F. are not at all uncommon for most containedexplosion events; even still, attention to explosion chamberconfiguration details and blast wave reflection patterns can boost thisinduced adiabatic shock compression temperature increase substantiallyand accelerate the violence of the explosion event as well. Thecompression efficiency is a process configuration related variable andhas many possibilities for increasing fuel input-to-energy outputprocess efficiencies and is, in effect, a measure of the strength of theimploded shock wave. Other factors such as the angle and depth of thereflection components as well as the nature of the fuel source mixture,also contribute to the acceleration and intensity of the adiabaticreaction.

2. Shockwave Acceleration Influence

Although the shockwave episode of an explosion is an integratedcomponent of the adiabatic influence inside the process system by actingas impulse piston of sorts, the shockwave mechanics themselvescontribute to the rate of the explosion's reaction and the violencethereof. Accordingly, an explosion's violence is the recognized measureof the maximum rate of the explosion's pressure rise at a constantvolume. This violence characteristic responds to stimulation mechanicsand accelerates the reaction's speed, heat, and power.

Inside a typical confined explosion episode many mechanisms areoccurring simultaneously which impact the output of the explosion's heatand pressure. The expansion of reactants as they are combusted to formproducts is referred to as volumetric dilatation, which occurs when adeflagration causes compression waves to emanate from the explosion'sfront. These compression forces coalesce into shock waves ahead of theflame front, which causes temperature, pressure, and velocity increasesin the unreacted gas zone. While some flames accelerate as the pressureincreases, others will decelerate; however, increasing temperaturegenerally causes an acceleration of the flame front.

The speed of the particle velocities induced by the shock compressionepisode also acts to raise the Reynolds number of the unreacted flowinto which the flame front quickly propagates. As the Reynolds numberincreases sufficiently, the explosion's flow will transition fromlaminar to turbulent with a synergistic increase in flame velocity andenergy release rate due to turbulent structures created in the episode.

Reflected shockwaves interact with the flame front giving rise toRayleigh-Taylor interface instability, which causes a distortion of theflamefront. Shock-flame interaction is typically found in confinedsituations and small changes in the process system's geometry can changethe explosion output scenario significantly.

In one or more embodiments of this invention, the compression wavesgenerated by the flame front reflect off of solid boundaries within theprocess system and both the surface area of the flame front increases aswell as the energy release rate as the flame front accelerates. Thedistorted pattern of the explosion episode gives rise to increasedturbulence, which, in turn, further accelerates the flame front.

In one or more embodiments of this invention, obstacles are added to theinternal confines of the process system to transform the kinetic energyof the explosion flow into large-scale turbulence, which cascades intosmaller and finer scales. These large-scale turbulent structures causean even greater increase in flame front surface area; whereas, thesmaller structures enhance the thermal transport processes by inducingan episode of turbulent mixing at the molecular level. Collectively,these mechanisms result in a net increase to the energy release rate aswell as the effective propagation velocity of the flame front.

3. Deflagration to Detonation Transition (DDT)

Deflagrations are subsonic explosions and detonations are supersonicexplosions. A DDT process episode occurs when an explosion's speed risesfrom a deflagration to a detonation, which is the natural result of theenhanced adiabatic and shockwave influences previously outlined. In oneor more embodiments of this invention, stimulation of Deflagration toDetonation Transition (DDT) explosion episodes is possible given therespective fuel mixture scenario. Although, the characterization of the‘state’ of a dust cloud is far more complicated than characterizing the‘state’ of a premixed quiescent gas mixture, a mixed fuel DDT initiationevent can be accomplished with a particle-laden fuel cloud, even if itbecomes necessary (due to the nature of a particular fuel mixture) toadd small amounts of a gas such as hydrogen or methane to the fuel cloudatmosphere. Accordingly, a DDT reaction cycle offers certain energyoutput advantages over that of a regular deflagration explosion becausevery high-pressure loads can be achieved through this phenomenon (in theorder of 50 bars), which translates into a super-heated output scenario.

B. Use of Natural Force Mechanisms

Energy is generated when a force acts through a distance. TheExplo-Dynamics technology offers both a means and method for creatingenergy through the containment and conversion of explosive force.

It stands that the concept of combusting a given unit of fuel is muchdifferent than process of exploding the same fuel unit. Explosions arevery unique events and generally not well understood. Only recently hasequipment been developed to accurately measure the temperature spikes ofan explosion episode.

In one or more embodiments of this invention the natural force mechanicsof the explosion episode are used in a novel process arrangement.

1. Blast Wave Theory Mechanics

In blast wave theory, an explosion in air causes a blast wave topropagate outwards from the source at supersonic speed for detonationsand at subsonic speed for deflagrations. This blast wave has twodistinct phases—a positive and negative. The positive the blast pressurewave moves outward from the point of detonation or deflagration anddelivers a charge of violent force to everything lying within its path.This positive impulse lasts a relatively short period of time anddelivers the highest pressures and velocity of the explosion event.Conversely, the following negative impulse, which is more descriptivelyknown as the suction or vacuum phase, is usually at least three timeslonger in duration and of less intensity than the positive impulse blastwave. It is not uncommon for this vacuum phase to be one-third of theamplitude of the pressure wave. (i.e.: For instance, a positive pressurewave of 60 psi with a suction phase wave of 20 psi vacuum.) See Table 1for more information.

A negative impulse vacuum is formed when the out rushing air iscompressed and forms a vacuum at the point of detonation ordeflagration. The vacuum causes a pressure reversal mechanism where thedisplaced gas reverses its movements. Again, the duration of thisnegative impulse vacuum event is several times longer than the explosionevent and can involve significant vacuum pressures in proportion to themagnitude of the positive impulse pressure. The vacuum actually producedis influenced by the particular geographical arrangement of thecontained explosion scenario as well as the fuel-oxygen loading of thedriving explosive charge.

In the various embodiments of this invention, both the positive blastphase of an explosion event cycle and the negative blast phase areincorporated into the fundamental design of the process system. Thepositive blast phase forms the process environment for stimulating athermally charged impulse with higher pressures. The negative blastphase forms the vacuum effect for which the fuel-air/oxidizer componentsare recharged into the Ignition Chamber (and in certain embodiments thefluid recharge as well) thus allowing for a more reliable, simple, andeconomical mode of system operation.

2. Littoral Reaction Process

In certain Explo-Dynamics process configurations, a process containedand controlled explosion cycle is directed into a body of fluid for thepurpose of inducing a flash conversion episode. The heat-fluid interfacepoint is subject to the fuel-coolant interaction (FCI) forces releasedwhen the explosion's flame front violently reacts with the designatedfluid target.

Water's volume expands over 1,675 times when it is converted into steamat atmospheric pressure. Inside a confined chamber, this aspect of steamconversion can represent substantial pressures when even a smallquantity of water is flash converted into steam.

The present invention is based upon several novel concepts, one of whichbeing the premise of matching the force of the explosion's heat releaseepisode to the steam conversion heat energy requirement of the targetfluid's volume. This flame-to-fluid force balance allows the presentinvention to operate efficiently and deliver an impressive degree ofoutput energy in respect to the amount of fuel being consumed.

The double explosion dynamics of an initial thermodynamic release offorce driving a secondary littoral explosion are such that the twoepisodes occur within milliseconds of each other with the secondexplosion generating a high pressure impulse of mixed steam and exhaustgasses, which is usually much higher in amplitude and duration than thatof the initial explosion.

This method of matching heat energy output to steam conversion loadingallows the present invention's energy generating system to operate atgreater efficiency by maximizing the ratio of steam generated per unitof fuel consumed.

3. Double Explosion Dynamics

A steam explosion is usually a highly violent boiling or flashvaporization episode of water being transformed into steam. When anexplosion instantly superheats water, it converts from a liquid to a gaswith extreme speed and has a dramatic increase in volume, which relatesto an exponential pressure building event within a closed processsystem.

In various embodiments of this invention, this steam conversion episodetypically builds much more pressure than the initial exothermic reactionof the fuel/gas explosion. As explained earlier, the positive impulsedynamics of an explosion occur and the pressure drops almost as rapidlyas it rises. The steam explosion counteracts this pressure drop effectand does not reduce the pressure as quickly, even when rapidcondensation does occur. Thus the present invention's process mechanicswork to keep the propulsion dynamic in play longer and allows for adisplacement of force to occur, which can be harnessed into a morestable form of energy thus being more conducive to generatingelectricity or usable torque.

In one or more embodiments of this invention where the process intent isfor the heat of the blast to directly engage a fluid, the violent heatand gas expansion of the blast wave meets a quench front of fluidresistance. When the heat and fluid interaction takes place, withinvirtually milliseconds, steam pressure builds so rapidly it is a fairdescription to refer to the event as an explosion. In essence, certainembodiments of this invention provide a two-for-one explosion episodewith both events occurring so quickly it appears to be one interaction,when in fact, two separate dynamics are occurring; where in the first,fuel meets fire—and in the second, heat meets fluid.

4. Blast Propagation Mechanics

Dust explosions are a progression of micro-steps whereasdevolatilisation, gas phase mixing and gas phase combustion occurs inrapid succession. From bituminous coal dust explosion experimentation itis known, that from the point of ignition, less than one twentieth of asecond or only 0.045 seconds elapse before the explosion generates amaximum explosion pressure (MEP) episode of approximately 90 psi. Therate of pressure rise in this explosion is typically around 2,000 psiper second. In most open-air coal dust explosions, the air speed exceeds200 miles per hour. Comparatively, most flammable gas explosions reachesa MEP of 115-270 psi, but it takes much longer for this reaction tooccur (up to several seconds in some cases). Although, they normallytake longer to initiate, gas explosions typically accelerate to a flamespeed of several thousand miles per hour.

There are dramatic differences between explosions involving vapor cloudsand high explosives at close distances. For a given amount of energy, aconventional high explosive blast overpressure is much higher, and theblast impulse is much lower, than that generated from a vapor cloudexplosion event. The shockwave from a TNT or dynamite explosion has arelatively short duration, while the blast wave produced by an ignitabledust cloud explosion has a relatively long duration.

In one or more embodiments of this invention, the process designmanipulates the normal blast propagation mechanics to physically andchemically stimulate explosion episodes for effectively and efficientlyperforming the desired process function. For instance, deflagrations (orsubsonic explosions) tend to push, as opposed to a detonation's tendencyto shatter, and have longer durations. This is the principle behindmodern Thermobaric weapon systems; whereas, certain bomb arrangementsrelease a cloud of ignitable particulates and such weapons proceed toignite an airborne dust cloud explosion creating greater heatintensities and longer pressure episodes than most of their highexplosive counterparts.

By extending the pressure moment duration and increasing the heatintensity of the explosion episodes, the present invention essentiallyblends the explosion's character to fit the desired task of the processand optimizes the output work to be performed.

5. Fuel Considerations—Particle Size Influence

Most organic materials, many metals and even several non-metallicinorganic materials can generate explosive dust clouds. Dust explosionscan involve particle sizes ranging from a few microns to hundreds ofmicrons and the primary factor influencing the ignition sensitivity andthe violence of a dust cloud explosion is the particle size or specificsurface area, which is the total surface area per particle unit volumeor the unit mass of the dust particle.

Particle size primarily influences the devolatilisation rate; whereas, ahigher specific surface area allows for a faster devolatilisation rate.The relationships with particle size are not linear and, at least forsome of the parameters, the effect plateaus at the smaller particlesizes. Therefore, if the gas phase combustion is the slowest of thethree micro-explosion propagation steps, increasing the devolatilisationrate by decreasing the particle size beyond this particle size plateauwill not increase the overall combustion rate.

The available data regarding particle size influence upon the minimumignition energy (MIE), which is the minimum energy required to ignitethe dust cloud, indicates a very strong dependence and nearlyexponential relationship, with no obvious ‘plateauing’ of therelationship even when particle size is decreased down to a few microns.

In experiments conducted by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration(MSHA) have shown that coal particles, which pass through a U.S.standard 20-mesh sieve (841 microns or about 0.03 inch to pass), canparticipate in a coal dust explosion. In coal, as in most otherignitable dusts, the larger the mesh size, or the smaller the particlesize, the greater the explosivity hazard. In fact, coal fines passing aU.S. standard 200-mesh sieve (with openings of 74 microns or about 0.003inch) are relatively common to the coal industry and have been thesource of much injury, death and damages throughout the years.

The upper explosive limit (or UEL) is not well defined for particulatedust clouds and experiments have shown that a coal dust loading of 3.8ounces per cubic foot would propagate a low-velocity explosion and thatan even richer 5.0 ounces per cubic foot loading would quench itselfwithin 10 feet of ignition. A rough rule of thumb is that explosiveclouds cannot be generated from dusts composed of particles greater thanabout 500 microns. Conversely, no lower particle size limit has beenestablished below which dust explosions cannot occur.

The present invention focuses primarily upon the use of 100 micron andless particle fuel mixtures with a preference for 50 micron and lessparticle fuel blends for maximum performance. However, in certainembodiments fuel and inert substance blends, such as coal slurryimpoundment solids, with a wide range of particle size variations may beprocessed in blends outside this range to reduce material handlingcosts; even though, a loss of process efficiency will result.

Particle size reduction technology and pulverization systems have alsoadvanced to a point where very specific sizes and grades of ignitabledusts can be separated and processed. Therefore, the Explo-Dynamicsprocess control domain extends to even the fuel processing stage sooptimum system performance can be accomplished without devotingexcessive time and energy resources toward particle size reductions withno appreciable impact. By calculating the fuel-stock mixture variablesin advance and estimating the power of the force generated from multiplepossible fuel charge mixture scenarios, the present invention's energygenerating system can efficiently select and process fuels and havecomplete control over the process from start to finish. This processcontrol capability was not been technologically possible prior to thispoint and invariably has been the primary reason this manner offuel-to-energy conversion technology has not been explored more deeplyin generations past.

6. Explosion Mechanics: Oxygen Content

This oxygen concentration factor is known as the limiting oxygenconcentration (or LOC). Typically the minimum oxygen concentrationvalues for supporting explosions organic dust explosions range fromabout 11% to 15% volume to volume. The Explo-Dynamics process controlsystem monitors the chamber oxygen content and stimulates the additionof ambient air and/or enriched oxidizing substances into the fuel chargemixture to allow MEP to be maintained and cycle times to continue with areliable frequency.

Recent research studies have demonstrated new evidence that confinedexplosions are usually prematurely quenched from reaching maximumintensity by a lack of oxygen. Various embodiments of this inventionmake use of pre-ignition phase increases in air pressure loading and/oroxidizing substance addition to prevent this quenching action and thusallow the explosion episode to reach its maximum efficiency.

7. Explosion Mechanics: Steam Carryover/Moisture Impact

When system arrangements allow steam or moisture pressure to enter andaccumulate in the Ignition Chamber, the effect is much like the vaporsare acting as a heat sink. Research studies have demonstrated thatmoisture loads of 10% have little or no negative effect upon theexplosion episode power output. Further, these studies demonstrate thatsignificant reductions in explosion episode over-pressures are notgenerally realized until the water concentration reaches approximately35% by weight. Thus the present invention will process higher watercontent concentrations with greater efficiency than a conventionalcombustion process. Further, the Explo-Dynamics process controlcomponent will measure this impact and, if necessary, will trigger aprocess reaction to these considerations resulting in the addition of asmall volume of combustible gas and air or oxygenation substances to thefuel charge in order to offset this impact.

8. Fluid Displacement Mechanisms

In certain embodiments of the present invention, direct pressure andheat of a contained process explosion are used to drive a fluid forenergy recovery purposes. Following are different mechanical aspects ofthis process that have been incorporated into the present invention:

A. Positive Impulse Pressure Wave

An explosion event, which occurs within the confines of a fluidcontaining process, induces a pressure wave episode that is partly dueto the positive impulse blast pressure and predominantly due to theexplosive steam generation episode, which results when the thermallystimulated explosive energy come sin contact with a quantity of fluidand rapidly vaporizes said fluid into steam pressure.

On fluid displacement system variations where no piston is utilized, thereleased explosive force rapidly drives the fluid in the direction ofthe blast wave's propagation, but the surface tension of the fluidcolumn yields to the overwhelming force of the blast energy andcavitation occurs. Cavitation will result in fluids erratically movingin a variety of similar and dissimilar directions by clinging to wallsand structures to allow the vapor charge energy to escape in the path ofleast resistance.

Propelled blast vapor slugs within the fluid path act to force thefluids in the desired manner and direction, creating a system flowdynamic that allows multiple Explo-Dynamics chamber units to work incontrolled unison and create a stable flow from a timed series of pulsedpropulsion events. Moreover, as the steam and exhaust vapor bubblescollapse, they can produce very large pressure spikes, which add to thedynamic transport of the fluid being displaced.

As a blast force propels itself through the process piping and vesselsystem, the fluid column also becomes subject to the gas drive effectmechanism generated by the blast force. The displaced fluids are routedin a desired manner and a series of check valves are employed to assurethat the flow of fluids proceeds in the desired direction and theoverall reservoir flow pattern remains consistent. The heat of the gasis transferred into the liquid and rapidly a quantity of steam isproduced, which also yields to drive the fluids into the desired flowpattern and increases the force of the gas drive effect.

B. Negative Impulse Pressure Wave

When an explosion event has surpassed its positive impulse phase, anegative impulse reaction ensues that is several orders of magnitudeslower than the positive phase and can contain up to a third of thepressure formerly released in a negative context as a vacuum event. Thiseffect translates into an implosion of in-process gas bubble slugs as aconcentrating force reversing the expansion and drawing vacuum on thevoids created by the pressure. The check valve arrangement prevents aretreat of the displaced fluids back to the point of origin thustrapping the concentration event into the process; whereas, fluids aredrawn or pulled forward into the flow pattern created by both thepressure and the vacuum. In this manner, a push pull effect is on-goingwith each explosion episode and multiple timed explosions in the processarrangement provide for a steady force of fluids being displaced by theenergy released in the series of process driving explosions episodes.

C. Steam Pressure Impulse

When the flow of pressurized heat contacts a liquid, a heat transferprocess occurs and water, which is subject to explosive conversion intosteam, experiences a 1675× increase in its volume displacement atregular atmospheric pressure. Some underwater mine weapons utilize thisprinciple to explosively create large sub-sea steam bubbles that liftthe target watercraft and the imploding secondary reaction drops thewatercraft often structurally breaking the hull and/or capsizing andsinking the watercraft in the violent displacement episode. This steamvolume increase and fluid displacement phenomena also adds to the gasdrive effect of the Explo-Dynamics process and, like the explosionpressure impulse force, is also subject to the push pull mechanics ofexpanding and compressing forces of the secondary implosion episode,which provides energy to draw or otherwise propel the displaced fluidflow into and through an energy conversion and recovery process, such asa hydroelectric turbine generation process to produce electricity.

II. Environmental Advantages

England's Sir William George Armstrong, (1810-1900) built anelectrostatic boiler in 1842 due to his fascination with electricallycharged steam. Later in 1887, Richard von Helmholtz discovered thatsmall, electrically charged, particles possessed a remarkable ability tocondense steam around them. Still several years later in 1894, NobelPrize winner Sir J. J. Thomson further studied this phenomenon anddeveloped the framework for much of our current understanding of theinteraction between charged particles and steam.

In several embodiments of this energy invention, direct heat-to-fluidreactions occur, which generate littoral explosions of steam as thetarget fluid is flash converted by the overwhelming influence of thethermodynamic impulse associated with the initiating explosion episode.In these process arrangements, the direct mixing of exhaust and steamunder both a natural and artificial electrostatic influence is anintegrated element of the explosion-to-energy conversion process andconstitutes a novel approach toward reducing the toxicity of theemissions. Thus this energy production technology invention will offer arange of benefits as an environmentally friendly energy resource methodfor the conversion of conventional hydrocarbon fuels as well as amultiplicity of alternate fuels substances. This aspect of the presentinvention constitutes an improvement of the current state-of-the-art andhas heretofore been unachievable with conventional hydrocarbon energyconversion systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING FIG. A Sheet # 1of 30 Explo-Dynamics- Explosion to Energy Conversion Cycles: ProcessSystems FIG. B-1 Sheet # 2 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System &Protocol: Direct Heat Cycle FIG. B-2 Sheet # 3 of 30 Explo-DynamicsProcess System & Protocol: Direct Heat/Direct Pressure Cycle FIG. B-3Sheet # 4 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System & Protocol: DirectHeat/Direct & Indirect Pressure Cycle FIG. B-4 Sheet # 5 of 30Explo-Dynamics Process System & Protocol: Indirect Pressure Cycle FIG.B-5 Sheet # 6 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System & Protocol: IndirectHeat Cycle FIG. C-1 Sheet # 7 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System &Protocol: Flash Steam Conversion Sequences 1 thru 4 FIG. C-2 Sheet # 8of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System & Protocol: Flash Steam ConversionSequences 5 thru 8 FIG. C-3 Sheet # 9 of 30 Explo-Dynamics ProcessSystem & Protocol: Flash Steam Conversion Sequences 9 thru 12 FIG. C-4Sheet # 10 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process System & Protocol: Flash SteamConversion Sequences 13 thru 16 FIG. D Sheet # 11 of 30 Explo-DynamicsProcess Arrangement: Direct Heat/Indirect Pressure FIG. E Sheet # 12 of30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: Direct Heat to Steam FIG. F Sheet# 13 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: Indirect Pressure-FluidDisplacement FIG. G-1 Sheet # 14 of 30 Explo-Dynamics ProcessArrangement: Direct Pressure/Direct Heat Cycle Free Piston EngineConfiguration Sequence 1 thru 4 FIG. G-2 Sheet # 15 of 30 Explo-DynamicsProcess Arrangement: Direct Pressure/Direct Heat Cycle Free PistonEngine Configuration Sequence 5 thru 8 FIG. G-3 Sheet # 16 of 30Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: Direct Pressure/Direct Heat CycleFree Piston Engine Configuration Sequence 9 thru 12 FIG. G-4 Sheet # 17of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: Direct Pressure/Direct HeatCycle Free Piston Engine Configuration Sequence 13 thru 16 FIG. G-5Sheet # 18 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: DirectPressure/Direct Heat Cycle Free Piston Engine Configuration Sequence 17thru 20 FIG. G-6 Sheet # 19 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement:Direct Pressure/Direct Heat Cycle Free Piston Engine ConfigurationSequence 21 thru 24 FIG. H-1 Sheet # 20 of 30 Explo-Dynamics ProcessArrangement: Direct Pressure/ Direct Heat Cycle: Explo-Steam InternalCombustion/ Steam Engine Configuration Sequence 1 thru 4 FIG. H-2 Sheet# 21 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Arrangement: Direct Pressure/ DirectHeat Cycle: Explo-Steam Internal Combustion/ Steam Engine ConfigurationSequence 5 thru 8 FIG. I Sheet # 22 of 30 Explo-Dynamics ProcessArrangement: Indirect Pressure- Fluid Displacement Configuration FIG. JSheet # 23 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Component Systems: PulseConverter Turbine Assembly FIG. K Sheet # 24 of 30 Explo-DynamicsProcess Arrangement: Indirect Pressure-Fluid Displacement/Gas DriveConfiguration FIG. L Sheet # 25 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process ComponentSystems: Thrust Translator Profile FIG. M Sheet # 26 of 30Explo-Dynamics Process Component Systems: Ignition Chamber-IgniterProfile FIG. N Sheet # 27 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process ComponentSystems: Fuel Charging Arrangement Profile FIG. O Sheet # 28 of 30Explo-Dynamics Process Component Systems: Tornado Chamber Assembly FIG.P Sheet # 29 of 30 Explo-Dynamics Process Configurations: Explo-IndirectSteam Generation Arrangement FIG. Q Sheet # 30 of 30 Explo-DynamicsProcess Arrangement: Alternate-Fluid Displacement/Gas DriveConfiguration

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

During an explosive event, a violent exothermic reaction takes place andboth pressure and heat are rapidly generated. This mechanism ofcontained force and its conversion into a useable energy resourcecomprise various embodiments of the invention presented herein. Thepresent invention is based upon using both the heat and pressurereleased during a series of controlled and contained explosion events asa mechanism of force for producing energy, torque, thrust, motive force,or heat. (FIG. A)

The attached collection of drawings, illustrate several variations ofthese embodiments. Some process arrangements, herein illustrated, relymore upon one mechanism of explosive force than another, but allmechanisms relate to the fundamental science of using explosive forceand converting that force into a usable form of energy. Eachembodiment's process variation, or configuration shares one or more ofthe following basic characteristics of explosive force conversion:

-   1. Direct Heat Cycle Configurations—Certain embodiments using the    impulse heat episode of a contained explosive reaction to produce    steam and therein provide force to an energy production or    conversion mechanism;-   2. Indirect Heat Cycle Configurations—Certain embodiments using the    impulse heat episode of a contained explosive reaction to provide    thermal force to conventional heat-to-energy capture, production,    and/or other conversion mechanisms;-   3. Direct Pressure Cycle Configurations—Certain embodiments using    the pulse pressure episode of a contained explosive reaction provide    direct displacement force to an energy production or conversion    mechanism; and-   4. Indirect Pressure Cycle Configurations—Certain embodiments using    the pulse pressure episode of a contained explosive reaction provide    indirect displacement force (i.e.: fluid displacement) to an energy    production or conversion mechanism.

Versatile Fueling Capabilities

This energy technology invention was originally designed to be fueled bypulverized dust fuels, which are suspended as a particulate dust cloudwithin the Ignition Chamber of the Explo-Dynamics process and ignitedinto a controlled explosion episode. However, the Explo-Dynamics processcan make use of atomized liquids, vapor, and/or gaseous fuels inaddition to, or instead of, the dust fuel suspensions. The ability toprocess an enormous variety of fuel types in a wide range of physicalstate conditions makes the Explo-Dynamics system very unique and itsunusual capacity to process inert substances or contaminates mixed withthe fuel is without equal among known energy production technologies.

Dust fuels are anticipated to be the Explo-Dynamics system's specialtybecause within this fuel classification arena lies a great variety ofpotential alternative energy fuel supplies. Virtually any organicsubstance, and many inorganic substances, is likely to form an explosiveatmosphere when it is pulverized into a fine particle size mixture andthereby suspended in an airborne dust cloud.

The Explo-Dynamics process allows for fuels with different explosivitycharacteristics to be blended together to generate more pressure andheat over a longer blast episode duration period.

Hyper-Thermodynamic Stimulation Mechanisms

Several factors participate in this invention's ability to adiabaticallyinfluence a spike impulse discharge of superheated gas. The presentinvention makes use of a variety of structural, procedural, and chemicalmechanisms to stimulate a series of thermal pulse episodes designed toaccelerate the inter-related adiabatic influence, violence, and pressureof the contained process explosion sequence and the subsequent heatrelease output thereof.

1. Structural

-   -   Internal Obstructions    -   Parabolic Reflection Panels/End Caps    -   Parabolic Focusing Rings/Walls    -   Multiple Ignition Source Scenarios    -   Tubular Ignition Chamber (Length Over Diameter)    -   Pressure Relief Blast Valves    -   Geometric Restriction Zones Within Process

2. Procedural

-   -   Pre-Pressurization of the Ignition Chamber and/or Process System    -   Convergence of Blast Patterns    -   Multiple Fuel Cloud Ignition Points    -   Induced Shockwave Collision Fronts    -   Manipulation and Control of System Operating Temperatures

3. Chemical

-   -   Blending of Fuels    -   Addition of Oxidizing Substances

Direct Heat Cycle Configurations (FIGS. B-1, B-2, B-3, C-1 thru C-4, D,and E)

In a conventional steam generation process, a pound of water at 32° F.requires 180 BTUs of energy to bring its heat content, or enthalpy, upto 212° F. and begin to boil. From this boiling point on, another 970.3BTUs of energy is required to convert the water into steam.

In certain embodiments of this invention, referred to herein as theExplo-Dynamics Direct Heat Cycle Process, the water-steam conversion isnot conventional, nor is the heat gradually and consistently applied tothe fluid. The reaction is violent, turbulent, and instantaneous.

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as a direct heat cycleprocess to provide for the direct flash conversion of fluids into steam.In this arrangement, an intensified release of a super-heated blast waveis directed into a target fluid body. The target fluid volume is matchedto the calculated thermal output energy to optimize the efficiency ofthe conversion episode. Upon contact, a direct heat-to-fluid reactioncycle occurs and thus creates a littoral explosion of steam pressure. Inthis process arrangement, the explosion exhaust is combined directlywith the generated steam volume and after passing through in-processfiltration mechanisms (described herein), the steam is routed to a steamturbine unit, steam engine, other steam energy translating apparatus tocapture the energy release of the cycle episode thus allowing anothercycle to ensue.

Indirect Heat Cycle Configurations (FIGS. B-5 and P)

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as an indirect heatcycle process and serve as heat source for driving an externalcombustion engine. In this configuration, the enhanced thermal outputfrom the Ignition Chamber and/or Reaction Chamber is exhausted through apressure relief mechanism and thereby routed to the receiving processunit.

In this mode of operation, the present invention's energy generatingsystem sends its hyper-stimulated thermal pulses into:

-   A. boiler units for steam generation purposes;-   B. heat exchange units for heat engine energy arrangements such as    the Stirling Engine or other such external combustion engine    technology and/or reciprocating heat engine system;-   C. Reaction Chambers for direct heat-to-electricity conversion    purposes utilizing direct heat to energy conversion technology, such    as the Thermionic conversion process, the Solid State Heat Engine    (SSHE) technology, the Peltier—Seebeck thermoelectric effect, the    Thermopile conversion method, and/or the vacuum gap tube process,    and/or the solid-state thermal diode process; and-   D. a direct heat source for other direct and/or indirect heat    processes.-   Direct Pressure Cycle Configurations    (FIGS. B-2, G-1 thru G-6, H-1 thru H-2, J, and L)

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as a direct pressurecycle process. In this configuration, the Explo-Dynamics processdelivers direct pressure thrust from the explosion cycle to providedisplacement force to a conventional piston or turbine enginearrangement. However, the present invention's energy generating systembest functions with power conversion configuration variations designedto handle the force of the impulse thrust episode and provide sufficientstructural integrity and bulk to establish a stabilizing flywheel effectto the power output. Reference Drawings B-2, G-1 thru G-6, and H-1 thruH-2, J, and L for examples of these specialty configuration systemcomponents.

Indirect Pressure Cycle Configurations (FIGS. B-3, B-4, F, I, K, and Q)

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as an indirect pressurecycle process and serve as a pumping mechanism to mobilize a flow offluid. In this configuration, the high-pressure release episode of theExplo-Dynamics cycle reacts to provide displacement within the fluidreservoir. Although, cavitation and annular clingage occur in thisarrangement, a significant force is applied to drive the fluid forwardthrough the process system ahead of the explosion front pressures. Fluidpropulsion also is incited by the post explosion vacuum episode wherefluids are drawn into the system to recharge the voids created by thepressure episode.

Hybrid Configurations: Direct Heat—Indirect Pressure CycleConfigurations (FIGS. B-3 and D)

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as hybrid direct heatand indirect pressure cycle process and serve as both a direct heat tosteam pressure generation mechanism and also as a pumping mechanism tomobilize a flow of fluid for energy recovery purposes. In yet anothervariation of the Explo-Dynamics hybrid direct heat and indirect pressurecycle process, the blast wave is passed through a smaller process fluidtarget zone. This target fluid volume is flash vaporized into asupercritical water/steam release episode of high pressure, lower volumesteam pressure, which is routed into a multi-stage steam turbine unitfor energy transformation purposes. The lower pressure residual steamvolume remaining in the process system, in addition to the de-energizedeffluent steam from the turbine, are routed into a steam pressureinduction system to provide a fluid displacement thrust for energyrecovery and fluid system recharge purposes. Reference Drawings B-3 andD for examples of this configuration component.

Hybrid Configurations: Direct Pressure—Direct Heat Cycle Configurations(FIGS. B-2, G-1 thru G-6, and H-1 thru H-2)

The Explo-Dynamics technology can be configured as hybrid directpressure and direct heat cycle process and serve as both a combinationinternal combustion engine and steam engine. In this arrangement, theExplo-Dynamics process utilizes a piston-cylinder type Ignition Chamberand the exhaust heat is used to vaporize an injected fluid load, whichis transformed into a quantity of steam volume, which in turn, drives apiston in another sector of the engine system.

Reference Drawings G-1 thru G-6, and H-1 thru H-2 for both free pistonand piston-crankshaft arrangement examples of this configurationcomponent.

Indirect Pressure Displacement Drive

As the aforementioned cycles of direct heat and indirect pressure arecombined, an efficient fluid propulsion system is created from both thepressure and vacuum episodes of each explosion release cycle. In thisconfiguration a direct heat-to-fluid reaction cycle occurs as the blastwave contacts the process fluid and thus creates a littoral explosion ofsteam pressure. Both the initial explosion pressure release episode andthe ensuing steam explosion pressure provide forward displacing thrustto the fluid load in the process system's reservoir channelingmechanism. Accordingly, the newly created steam bubbles form rapidly andthen condense and implode rapidly with substantial turbulence. Thisimplosion episode creates a vacuum, which draws fluid from the inletside of the process supply system. As this Explo-Dynamics processembodiment's cycle occurs, a continuous push-pull force effect drivesthe fluid rapidly through the process system where a hydro turbine unittransfers the energy into torque or thrust to drive an electricalgenerator and/or supply mobility to a vehicle, such as a watercraft, orprovide force to a process system, such as a pump.

In system configurations where the process arrangement releases thepressure and heat of an explosive event into a fluid medium, (FIGS. B-3,B-4, F, I, K, and Q) the objective is to displace the fluid medium andconvert the pulse energy of the explosion event into a more stable andusable energy source. In this manner of application, explosive force isapplied to a fluid column within a contained process.

Since water cannot be compressed, it will transmit energy much fasterand farther than many other mediums. In fact, the incompressibility offluid makes it an ideal hydraulic energy transfer medium. Conversely,the compressibility of gas combined with the fluid, allows the gas toassist in absorbing the shockwave of a long duration, low intensityexplosive event.

Various embodiments of the Explo-Dynamics Indirect Pressure—FluidDisplacement process seek to:

-   -   1. Initiate a controlled, contained series of explosion events        in an explosion chamber.    -   2. Absorb and buffer the explosive charge into a fluid medium in        a Reaction Chamber    -   3. Use backflow prevention devices to route the expansive energy        forces in a desired direction.    -   4. Use shock absorbing process configurations and in-line        fluid-gas separation vessels to reduce the pulse energy release        episode into a steady flow of force    -   5. Harness the energy potential of the fluid-gas flow to drive        the rotation of a turbine or otherwise produce an element of        usable power.    -   6. Use vacuum triggered mechanisms to harness the negative        pressures from the contracting energy forces to reload the        system with fluids and fuel for re-ignition of a repetitive        series of cycles.    -   7. Reload the explosion chamber fuel-air charge and recharge        fluid process zones for sequential re-firing cycles.

Indirect Pressure Configurations: Negative Impulse System RechargeMechanisms

The Explo-Dynamics process makes use of the natural blast wave mechanicsand the pressure-suction forces generated therein. This natural andartificial application of explosive force results in systemconfigurations that are simpler and comparatively less expensive toinstall and operate and less prone mechanical failure or malfunction.

In this operational scenario, the Ignition Chamber's internal pressurewill be close to zero before the explosion event is triggered. When theexplosion event starts, the pressure will rise very rapidly and themaximum pressure will be reached within a fraction of a second. Anaccelerated flow of expanding gas pressure will depart from the IgnitionChamber and proceed through the Reaction Chamber area engaging theabrupt fluid resistance of the fluid medium. The fluids will respond tothe overwhelming superiority of the force against them and begin totravel in the direction of least resistance offered by the process flownetwork. Extreme turbulence, cavitation, and the shock absorbingmechanisms of the process the fluid-gas flow will collectively work tosmoothen the power delivery and drive the fluid flow pulse to itsmaximum mobility moment within short order. The pressure will then dropin the Ignition Chamber and the Reaction Chambers as the burning ratedecreases from the explosion and the exothermic expanding gas volume isrelieved through the system's piping network. Due to the inertia of thefluid-gas flow, the pressure of the burnt vapors in the post-explosiveexhaust atmosphere will drop and at first trigger a closing of thepressure relief valves before continuing its drop to a point below theambient pressure level creating a vacuum. The Explo-Dynamics processharnesses this vacuum force to allow for a greatly accelerated:

-   -   1. fuel-gas recharge cycle and/or    -   2. the reloading of fluids into the Reaction Chamber.

These mechanisms thus allow the Ignition Chamber to be re-fired morequickly into another blast cycle episode and also allow the process tooperate with less moving parts in a far simpler, more economical, andwith more reliable mode of power generation.

The negative impulse can be about ⅓ of the positive impulse phase, butthis ratio is substantially dependent on the layout of the geometrywhere the explosion occurs and the various fuel mixture scenarios.

Pressure and heat waves travel away from the center of the blast equallyin all directions. The blast pressure has two phases the positive andnegative. In the positive phase the high-pressure gas, heat wave and anyprojectiles travel outward. During the negative phase a partial vacuumis produced thus drawing materials back towards the area of theirorigin. The reaction occurs at a high rate of speed, sometimes evenfaster than the speed of sound, which is 1250 feet per second.

Fluid Displacement/Gas Drive Process: Shock Wave Absorption/Pulse Energy

Conversion

The present invention's energy generating system allows for aprogressive dampening of explosive pulse forces. When a fluid column hasbeen displaced by an explosive blast event, violent force movesintermittent gas and fluid slugs through the process system. Whenconfined air pockets, positioned above the water flow zone subject tothe explosive forces, are applied to act as shock absorbing mechanismswithin the system's network of flow piping, the explosive force of 90psi being applied to the column of water will cause the air pockets tocompress to up to 15% of their normal displacement volume. Explosionevents generating higher pressure impulses will compress the air pocketseven more.

The Explo-Dynamics—Fluid Displacement and/or Fluid-Gas Drive Process(FIG. K) features several pulse energy absorption and conversionmechanisms designed to reduce the shock wave forces of the explosiondisplacement episode. These mechanisms are:

-   -   1. Ignition Chamber/Reaction Chamber Pressure Relief Valve—This        valve is designed to withstand high-heat, high-pressure        operation. The valve can be a conventional in-channel flow check        arrangement or the spring mechanism can be external to the        pipe/vessel and subject to the cooling system flow component.

2. Fluid Column Resistance—The fluid load is adjusted to match thecharge. The load can be staged in a top-down configuration scenario or abottom-up scenario. The cavitation process allows the dynamicallyreleased energy episode to be contained within, and absorbed by, theExplo-Dynamics process system and the working fluids contained therein.Accordingly, the process control system monitors the fluid levels, fluidrecharge rates, the force, and temperature conditions present during andafter the pressure event.

-   -   3. Process Shock Pockets—Within the process piping system one or        more loops are employed to allow gas pockets to compress and        absorb mass fluid jolts.    -   4. Shock Chamber—Within the process piping network, flow-through        vessels with arched inlet and outlet portals are employed making        use of an air pocket in the upper extremities of the vessel.        This vessel will absorb the shock of the liquid impulse and        buffer the effluent flow exiting the chamber.    -   5. Fluid-Gas Separation Vessel—Essentially, this system        component is a larger, system level, shock chamber, but the        volumes of liquid/gas contained therein are larger and the gas        pocket serves as a gas drive device for regulated fluid effluent        discharge directly to a hydro turbine drive or indirectly to a        reservoir for gravitational flow to a hydro turbine unit. The        gas reservoir portion of the separator collects the system's        gas/steam pressure, which can be likewise be released in a        controlled manner to a steam or gas drive turbine.    -   6. Pulse Converter Turbine (PCT)—Although a dry and wet version        of this embodiment can be applied to various operational        scenarios as the situation dictates, the fluid version of the        PCT unit (FIG. J) is a heavy-duty in-line turbine designed to        allow for regressive pulse force slippage through portions of        the impeller system and circumferentially translate the pulse        energy into torque. With different degrees of annular ‘slip’        applied, a series of pulse converters can be applied per given        flow source to progressively dampen and stabilize pulse energy.    -   7. Constricted Venturi Ports—Within various embodiments of the        process flow system, venturi ports are applied to constrict the        flow to a limited orifice dimension creating higher pressure and        flow through this system process component and thus converting        some of the energy force into vacuum, which will provide a        measure of lift and will supply other fluids into the process        volume flow stream.

Indirect Pressure Energy Recovery Method for Mixed Fuel/Inert SubstanceBlends

In one or more embodiments of the invention presented herein, andarrangement makes it possible to use non-typical fuels, which will arenon-combustible by regular energy recovery methods. For instance, coalslurry impoundments contain millions of tons of coal mixed with shales,soils, and other such contaminants. To recover the usable coal from thisslurry mixture is normally a complicated and expensive endeavor. TheExplo-Dynamics process is an optimal solution for this, and many otherchallenging energy recovery problems where fuel substances are mixedwith non-fuel substances. By crushing the entire slurry composition intoa pulverized powder, the Explo-Dynamics process ignites an explosionepisode from the fuel matter contained within the mixed substance fuelcloud. This explosive processing method is very effective with up to 70%inert substance concentrations by weight and its efficiency does notsignificantly diminish until inert substance concentrations exceed 80%of the overall dust cloud/fuel atmosphere's composition.

In these types of Explo-Dynamics process arrangements, it will now bepossible to economically recover energy from oil shales, tar sands,mixed coal/shale strata and other non-typical rock strata containinghydrocarbon components as well as many other scenarios where fuel andinert substance mixtures are not feasible or possible to separate forconventional combustion based energy recovery methods.

Variable Process Configuration Applications

The Explo-Dynamics Indirect Pressure Fluid Displacement Process can beapplied in a variety of configurations. A vertical Reaction Chambercolumn of fluid can be impacted by a top-down or bottom-up arrangementas well as multiple angled and looped variations thereof. The processsystem can be located under a body of water or evensubterraneously-based in a well point configuration.

Various Process Configurations Pressure/Gas Drive Configuration (FIG. K)

In certain embodiments of the Explo-Dynamics Process, herein referred toas Pressure/Gas Drive Configuration Method, fluids are displaced witheither attached or free floating piston/cylinder arrangements driven bydirect explosion reaction pressure. In the Pressure/Gas DriveConfiguration process, the system and protocol of the embodiment aregenerally comprised in the following steps:

-   -   a) a quantity of fluid is recharged into the fluid thrust zone        beneath the piston;    -   b) a pressurized burst of fuel and air is blown (or vacuum        drawn) into the Ignition Chamber zone of the cylinder above the        piston position;    -   c) an arc of electricity or other ignition mechanism is used to        ignite the flammable atmosphere of the fuel cloud;    -   d) an explosion occurs and the piston is subjected to a downward        force;    -   e) the piston drives downward in reaction to the force applied        as the fluid beneath the piston yields to the force and passes        through the pressure relieve valve into the pressure reservoir        gas drive cylinder;    -   f) At Ignition Chamber a lower portion of the chamber a gas        bypass/pressure relief mechanism allows explosion gasses to be        relieved into the fluid body beneath said piston;    -   g) the pressure pulse is relieved in the Ignition Chamber, a        negative pressure or vacuum results, and the vacuum allows the        fuel, air/oxidizer, and/or gas valves to open permitting another        fuel cloud to fill the Ignition Chamber and the system fluid        recharge valve/s open in the lower cylinder fluid Reaction        Chamber zone allowing pressurized fluid level to be recharged        within the chamber;    -   h) the refilling of fluid raises the piston and satisfies the        vacuum force presented to the Ignition Chamber; and    -   i) the Ignition Chamber is re-fired and another cycle ensues.        Direct Pressure/Direct Heat; Free Piston Engine Configuration        (FIGS. G-1 thru G-6)

In certain embodiments of the Explo-Dynamics Process, one of whichherein referred to as the Free Piston Engine Configuration, afree-floating piston/cylinder arrangement is utilized. In saidFree-Piston Engine Configuration process, the system and protocol of theembodiment are generally comprised in the following steps:

-   -   (a) (in the Ignition Segment) fuel is vacuum or pressure        injected into Ignition Chamber segment of said engine chamber        (FIG. G-2, Sequence 5); (in the Steam Segment) building steam        pressure provides thrust to the steam piston propelling said        steam piston toward its expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequences        1-4, G-2, Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11);    -   (b) (in the Ignition Segment) the unified piston assembly        compresses said fuel (FIGS. G-2, Sequences 6-8 and G-3,        Sequences 9-11);        -   (in the Steam Segment) continuously expanding steam pressure            provides thrust to the steam piston and it travels toward            full expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequences 1-4, G-2,            Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11);    -   (c) (in the Ignition Segment) an ignition event is triggered by        either the process control system acting through an ignition        mechanism or by a pressure induced by steam pressure even        proving thrust from the other piston front within the steam        segment of said engine chamber (FIG. G-3, Sequence 12);        -   (in the Steam Segment) a release valve is process control or            mechanically actuated allowing a rapid release of steam            pressure and the steam driven piston reaches the full            expansion position; whereas the pressures against the            segment partition seal are relieved by discharging pressure            into the other segment partition behind the ignition piston            or by venting said pressures out of the engine and a shock            absorbing/rebound mechanism relieves the residual thrust of            the stroke as the piston begins the retraction process (FIG.            G-3, Sequence 12);    -   (d) (in the Ignition Segment) explosively expanding gasses drive        the unified piston assembly back toward the steam segment (FIGS.        G-4, Sequences 13-16 and G-5, Sequences 17-20);        -   (in the Steam Segment) the steam pressures continues to            escape the steam segment of said engine configuration and            allows the depressurized steam piston to begin its            retraction stroke in response to the ignition pressure            exerted from the ignition segment (FIGS. G-4, Sequences            13-16, G-5, Sequences 17-20, and G-6, Segment 21)    -   (e) (in the Ignition Segment) one or more exhaust ports in the        cylinder wall allow the expanding gas front to escape the        Ignition Chamber segment and transfer the heat and pressure        release to a linkage conduit connecting the steam segment (FIGS.        G-6, Sequences 21-24 and G-1, Sequence 1); (in the Steam        Segment) as full depressurization occurs, a quantity of fluid is        injected into the steam sector and the linkage conduit transmits        a heated exhaust burst from the ignition segment, which is flash        converted into steam pressure (FIG. G-6, Sequence 24);    -   (f) (in the Ignition Segment) the piston reaches the full        expansion position in the ignition segment and a shock        absorbing/rebound mechanism relieves the residual thrust of the        stroke as the piston begins the retraction process and the        pressures against the segment partition seal are relieved by        discharging pressure into the other segment partition behind the        steam piston or by venting said pressures out of the engine;        (FIGS. G-1, Sequence 1-2);        -   (in the Steam Segment) the flash converted steam pressures            build an provide thrust against the steam piston driving            said piston to compress the ignition segment piston into a            compression stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequence 1-3);    -   (g) (in the Ignition Segment) the ignition segment piston        responds to the force exerted from the steam segment, and begins        to travel toward another fuel compression stroke (FIGS. G-1,        Sequence 2-4);        -   (in the Steam Segment) the building steam pressure provides            thrust to the steam piston propelling said steam piston            toward its expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequences 1-4, G-2,            Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11);            and thus these steps of system and protocol, which are            repeated to deliver a means of thrust for energy conversion            purposes, constitute a complete engine cycle.            Direct Pressure/Direct Heat: Internal Combustion/Steam            Engine Configuration (FIGS. H-1 thru H-2)

In certain embodiments of the Explo-Dynamics Process, one of whichherein referred to as the Internal Combustion/Steam (Explo-Steam) EngineConfiguration, a piston/cylinder and crankshaft arrangement is utilized.In said Explo-Steam Engine Configuration process, the engine systemresembles a pair of four stroke internal combustion engines; whereaseach engine segment can operate independently of the other or can bemechanically linked or otherwise configured in the same engine blocksystem. The improvement being comprised in a means of using a heatengine operating off the principle of explosive power conversion and asteam engine operating off the littoral reaction method together and yetseparate in the sense that each engine's structure, lubricants, cylinderdisplacements, configurations, etc. do not have to be identical. Thusthe concept of using each engine in a separate, yet combined role allowsfor greater flexibility and an enhanced method of extracting the uniquepower potential available collectively through each engine's particularstrengths and advantages.

The system and protocol of the Explo-Steam engine embodiment aregenerally comprised in the following steps:

-   -   (a) the ignition driven engine segment's piston reaches the full        compression stroke of the exhaust phase and the exhaust valve        releases the compressed exhaust heat gasses into the linkage        manifold wherein said gasses enter the intake valve of the        littoral reaction engine segment (FIG. H-1, Sequence 1);    -   (b) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston retracts, the        exhaust valve closes and the intake valve opens allowing a        fuel/air mixture to be drawn in said cylinder; likewise, the        littoral reaction engine segment's piston begins a compression        stroke against the input load of exhaust gasses (FIG. H-1,        Sequence 2-3);    -   (c) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston compresses        the fuel/air mixture, the littoral reaction engine segment's        piston reaches a full compression stroke; whereas at or near        this interval a quantity of working fluid is injected into said        cylinder (FIGS. H-1, Sequence 3-4);    -   (d) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston reaches full        compression stroke, the fuel/air mixture is heated to an        explosion of said fuel mix; likewise, the littoral reaction        engine segment's piston retracts in a full power stroke against        the expanding steam pressure event (FIG. H-2, Sequence 5);    -   (e) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston retracts in a        full power stroke against the expanding ignited gas pressure,        the littoral reaction engine segment's exhaust valve opens as        the piston begins a compression stroke against the released        steam pressure event (FIG. H-2, Sequence 5-6);    -   (f) the ignition driven engine segment's piston reaches the full        expansion stroke position the exhaust valve opens and the piston        forces the exhaust pressures out of said cylinder into the        linkage conduit manifold phase and the exhaust valve releases        the compressed exhaust heat gasses into the linkage manifold;        wherein the littoral reaction engine segment's exhaust valve has        closed and the intake valve has opened to receive the ignition        driven engine segment's gaseous exhaust discharge (FIG. H-2,        Sequence 7-8);        and thus a complete engine cycle is constituted by these steps        of system and protocol, which are repeated to deliver a means of        thrust for energy conversion purposes.

Components

The Explo-Dynamics process may be configured in a variety ofarrangements. The components identified herein are not meant to beapplied in every process configuration nor are they exclusivelydesignated to be employed in a process arrangement exactly as they mayhave been illustrated in this patent application's drawings ordescription. Rather, the components identified herein are examples ofembodiment configurations and represent several arrangement options thatthe Explo-Dynamics process may include.

Ignition Chamber (Explosion Chamber)

The Ignition Chamber is a vessel designed to handle both the heat andpressure of an explosive event and release that event in a controlledmanner to a process system designed to contain and convert the impulseforce release into a stable energy resource for electrical generation,motive force, heat supply source, or torque.

Reaction Chamber: (Fluid and/or Gas Load to be Displaced or HeatReceiving Process)

The Reaction Chamber is a place within the Explo-Dynamics process systemwhere the force meets load. Generally in this component, the violence ofan explosion event is first met with a resisting force designed totransfer the power of the blast wave into a mechanism for energyconversion and recovery.

The Explo-Dynamics Ignition Chamber and Reaction Chamber unit/s can beconventionally configured with cooling liquid jackets or tanks. Forsafety and convenience, these process components can be subterraneouslyburied for safety and sound suppression purposes. Also pursuant to thesesafety and sound suppression purposes, these Explo-Dynamics chamberunits can be submerged under water or another fluid medium or configuredwithin the confines of a well point.

Pulse Converter Turbine Unit (FIG. J)

The Pulse Converter Turbine makes use of the cyclone flow principle ofrouting flow around the interior circumference housing in a patterndesigned to transfer the force of the incoming fluid and/or gas mediuminto rotational energy.

The Pulse Converter Turbine apparatus is a variation of a standardturbine arrangement whereas the annular space between the impeller vanesor flites and the turbine housing is greater at the entry inlet positionand gradually tapers down to a closer distance and reduction of annularspace near the out point.

The turbine size, specifications, and the annular blow-by cavity can beadjusted given the needs of the process scale to be employed.Additionally, the Pulse Converter Turbine can be used as a singulardevice or applied in a series of separate units to gradually suppressviolent flow in stages.

The rotational energy generated from the Pulse Converter Turbine can beused to propel an electrical generation unit or it can be used totransfer power to another energy consuming device or process such as apump, prop, wheel, gear unit, etc.

Process Control System

Recent advances in high speed microprocessor based computer systemsallow a number of variables to be monitored, factored, calculated,controlled, measured, and adjusted much faster and more reliably thanmanual systems could have ever hoped to achieve.

The Explo-Dynamics process control component will be responsive toinconsistencies in fuel, gas, system temperature, loading, etc. and willtrigger system changes to accommodate for the variables that may ariseand either make pre-programmed process changes or shutdown the processuntil it is manually overrode and adjusted to solve the detected problemor potential problem. Additionally, fuel mixture ratios will beelectronically monitored and the amount of power generated can beoptimized per any given fuel scenario

Charge Injection Unit (FIG. N)

Charge Injection Unit (Example 1)—is comprised by a chamber or cylinderwith process controlled inlet and outlet valves and a piston apparatusbeing driven by a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, or electronic force;whereas the piston draws a slug or charge of fuel/gas mixture from theTornado Chamber and forcefully propels said charge into theExplo-Dynamics blast chamber for ignition.

This Charge Injection Unit arrangement is further comprised by ainjection chamber tank or cylinder with process controlled inlet andoutlet valves and a piston apparatus being driven by a pneumatic,hydraulic, magnetic, or electronic force; whereas the injection chambertank draws a slug or charge of fuel/gas mixture from the Tornado Chamberand via a high pressure release air burst, forcefully propels saidcharge into the Explo-Dynamics blast chamber for ignition. The are threecomponents to this process:

-   1. The Vacuum Component is comprised by a vacuum pump, a vacuum    chamber tank, a process control actuated inlet valve,-   2. The Pressure Component is comprised by a compressor, compressed    air tank, and a process control actuated outlet valve,-   3. The Charge Injection Component is comprised by a mixed fuel    injection chamber tank. a process control actuated thrust valve, a    high pressure charge tank

Charge Injection Unit (Example 2)—is comprised by a process pipingarrangement; whereas a blower is used to propel a quantity of airbornefuel/air/gas mixture into the Ignition Chamber or fuel mix chamber forignition.

Charge Injection Unit (Example 3)—is comprised by a hopper which gravityfeeds powder into a cylinder chamber, which is subject to the force of apiston or driving pressure blast to propel the charge into a fuelchamber and then via pressurized air/gas flow on to the Ignition Chamberfor explosion.

Managing Feedstocks: The Tornado Chamber (FIG. O and N)

The unpredictable nature of dust explosions is a historical problemrelated to particle size. Larger particle size concentrations are moredifficult to ignite and create less energy than smaller particlesuspensions. The Explo-Dynamics process contains a system componentknown as the Tornado Chamber. The Tornado chamber (FIG. O) essentiallycomprises an airtight cyclone chamber with a powered impellor to createa turbulence of dust and/or aerosol particles in an airborne air and/orgas atmosphere. The Tornado Chamber contains portals that areelectronically controlled via a programmable logic controller network,which is driven by a process computer system. Through these inlet andoutlet portals, dust and/or aerosol feedstocks, flammable gas, oxidizingsubstances, and air are mixed in the turbulence created therein. TheTornado assembly makes use of explosion-proof electronics and a varietyof static dissipating devices to prevent and discharge any potentialstatic build-up that may occur within pursuant to the swirling effect ofthe impellor blades and the rotation of the suspended mixtures therein.Also, the Tornado Chamber contains pressure relief components necessaryto safely vent an explosion should such accidentally occur.

The Tornado Chamber makes use of advanced electronic sensory devices formeasuring airborne suspensions of particles and determining the sizedistribution thereof. With laser diffraction sensors and infraredoptical sensors taking real time measurements within and from thechamber vessel and system componentry, the process computer can countparticles and measure refractance accurately enough to predict theexplosive reaction of the fuel cloud atmosphere. Additional ingredientscan be electronically applied to the airborne mixture to achieve thedesired levels of consistency and performance.

The Tornado Chamber also makes use of advanced electronic sensorydevices for measuring airborne gas concentrations of flammable gases toascertain the volume of said gases in the mixture as well as determinethe relative ignitability of these suspended gases.

When Tornado Chamber's mixture payload meets the quality standardprogrammed into the process system, the process system triggers theCharge Injection Unit (FIG. N) to draw off a predetermined volume of theairborne mixture and rapidly force the charge volume into theappropriate Ignition Chamber and executes the firing sequence timingqueue, which fires each respective chamber at the desired time intervalepisode.

By making use of sensors and microprocessor-based electronics, theExplo-Dynamics process overcomes the obstacles that formerly blockeddevelopment of this unique fuel as an energy resource.

Additionally, the tornado chamber contains a variety of staticelectricity dissipation benefits as the cyclone effect generates astatic electricity charge. The Tornado Chamber is continuously monitoredfor static potential fields and process modifications can be made asnecessary.

Pressure Direct Drive Components Thrust Translator

In pressure direct drive configurations, the present invention's energygenerating system relies upon the exothermic reaction of the explosionitself as an agent of force. The hot expanding gases generated by theexplosive event directly provide for process thrust; whereas, thepressure pulse wave of these gasses acts as the motive force.

The Thrust Translator apparatus and method (FIG. L) is basically a heavyturbine that is moved by the positive blast impulse wave velocity. Smallamounts of water are fed into this turbine structure as it rotatesproviding a steam drive boost from the explosion flame front as itreaches the exposed portion of the turbine wheel. The turbine benefitsfrom a flywheel effect as the rotational momentum absorbs the impulsepressure naturally as the drive to the turbine is accelerated with eachsuccessive explosion event.

The load against the Thrust Translator can be applied by a variety ofmeans. FIG. L also demonstrate the load configured as an impellerdesigned to move fluids to a position of gravitation head pressure for asteady, controlled flow feed to a fluid turbine electrical generationunit. Likewise, the load could have been met with a direct generationcomponent connection.

Again by adding small amounts of fluid to the process system of thisparticular embodiment, the heat energy is converted into a high volumelow pressure steam resource that helps drive the system flow andcounteracts negative impulse pressure forces that would normally act asa braking mechanism to the flow patterns within the system. Additionallythe steam acts as a heat dissipater to keep interior temperatures in acontrolled operating range. The exhaust gasses are intermingled with thesteam, which acts as a scrubbing device to remove emissions impuritiesand the low pressure steam energy can be recovered via other componentsand embodiments associated with the present energy generating systeminvention.

As is the case with certain embodiments of the Explo-Dynamics system, aliquid cooling jacket element is applied to prevent the overheating ofthe explosion containment chamber and process routing components.

As with other Explo-Dynamics embodiment configurations, the ThrustTranslator process is readily adaptable to provide motion to a vehicleand particularly to a watercraft; whereas, the turbine resistance loadcan be carried by an open propeller or as an impeller in a jet drivemode.

Pressure-Influenced Thermal Steam Conversion Applications: TheExplo-Indirect Steam Generation Method

In pressure-influenced thermal steam conversion process configurations,the present invention's energy generating system relies uponprocess-induced adiabatic forces and shockwave turbulence mechanisms toboost the normal explosion event temperatures and accelerate theexothermic reaction of the explosion itself. In a boiler driveconfiguration, the process is designed to drive repeated, super-heatedthermodynamic pulse energy bursts into a specially configured boilerwhere reinforced tubes or pipes carrying water are heated and convertthe water flow into a pressurized steam flow. (Reference FIG. P)

With inlet energy from multiple firing chambers and ample chamberinsulation, the boiler firebox chamber holds the heat energy from therepetitive series pulse events. The steam heat and pressure generated inthe non-contact fluid tubes is routed to a steam turbine where theenergy of the steam is converted into electricity or torque for aprocess or for the mobility of a vehicle.

The Explo-Gasification Process Component

The enhanced direct heat output of the present invention, as well as theindirect heat and/or hot water generated from the Explo-Dynamicscomponent cooling processes or the system's energy conversionmechanisms, is a source of energy suitable for use as a heat source forthe gasification of pulverized fuels.

Again, coal is only one fuel source possibility presented in theExplo-Dynamics system's wide range of possibilities; however, it is anignitable dust fuel resource that readily exemplifies a principleinherent to this process embodiment.

Distillation Gasification

For instance, coal gas is a gas produced by several methods, whichincluding simple destructive distillation. Experiments with coal haveshown that 10 grams of fine coal dust can be mixed with heated water andproduce almost three liters of coal gas, which contains approximately50% hydrogen, 35% methane and 8% carbon monoxide. According to “Marks'Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers”, 10th Edition, coal gasburns at about 3,590° F. (1′977° C.) under 100% air conditions.

In the Explo-Dynamics process, as it applies to coal dust fuels, theheat and steam generated from a series of contained explosion events isused to distill a particulate slurry of pulverized coal and thus producea coal gas mixture off-gas consisting of hydrogen, methane, carbonmonoxide, and other minute gaseous substances. This gas mixture isliberated as a supplemental benefit of the technology's heat component.The particulate slurry to be distilled contains gas molecules, which areadsorbed onto the micro-particle surfaces of the particulates and thefractures therein as well as the gas that is absorbed into the particleitself. The adsorbed gas is primarily liberated in this distillationand/or gasification process and the residual slurry material is still aviable solid fuel substance; although, these processes somewhat diminishits fuel value.

The liberated gas has a gross heating value of 500 to 550 Btu/ft³ and isboth a resource to be used to accelerate and enhance the performance ofthe Explo-Dynamics process as well as an independent fuel resource thatcan be used to fire a conventional gas turbine or steam boiler togenerate steam pressure for driving a steam turbine.

Steam/Heat Gasification

The Explo-Dynamics process can produce liberal amounts of heat,pressure, and steam. Collectively these force components can accommodatevarious methods of coal gasification such as:

-   -   1. Fixed bed gasification whereas the crushed, pulverized coal        dust is fed from the top of the reactor vessel and steam, air or        oxygen is blown upwardly to produce the gasification reaction.    -   2. Fluidized bed gasification whereas the crushed, pulverized        coal dust is “fluidized” by the steam, air or oxygen flows,        which are piped through the gasification reaction vessel.    -   3. Entrained bed gasification whereas the crushed, pulverized        coal dust is blown into the reacting gas stream prior to        entering the gasification reaction vessel. In this manner the        coal dust particles are suspended in the gas phase, and are thus        filtered and recycled until a gas with a suitable heating value        is produced.

Pyrolysis Gasification

In the course of preparing pulverized and powdered fuels, theExplo-Dynamics heat resources can be used to generate even still anotherform of combustible gas by subjecting these dusts to pyrolysis orthermal breakdown, which occurs when these powdered fuels are subjectedto heat sufficiently short of the auto ignition point. The off-gasproduced from this process ranges from 100-300 Btu/cubic foot andprimarily is used to supplement the Explo-Dynamics process' fuel-stockreaction quality. Also, the residual processed feedstocks from thesegasification processes still have significant value in and ofthemselves.

1. A method of generating energy from a series of process containedexplosive reactions, wherein the energy generating system comprises oneor more: ignition chamber mechanism for containing and controlling saidreactions; a fuel injection mechanism; an air and/or oxidizer injectionmechanism, an ignition mechanism; an injection portal check valvemechanism; a blast outlet pressure relief mechanism; a reaction chambermechanism; a process control system; and one or more embodiments fortransforming explosion release episode into a stable output of energy,wherein said energy generating system, a series of explosion cycles arepropagated and stimulated to deliver an output force of heat andpressure, which is thereby transformed into torque or thrust for thepurpose of generating electricity and/or providing motive force to avehicle or a process generally described in FIG. A.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fuel source for supporting said explosive reactioncomprises a concentration of ignitable nano-particles andmicro-particles and/or ignitable aerosol droplets and/or combustiblegas, which is mixed and suspended in a turbulent airborne fuel cloudwithin said energy generating system for the purpose of propagating anexplosion of said fuel cloud.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theignition mechanism for initiating said explosive reaction (FIG. M)comprises one or more of the following: an electrical spark; a laserpulse; a jet tube; the compression force of a piston; the compressionforce of an explosion shockwave; the compression force of a decreasingannular void; a converging explosion-induced air or gas jet; a chemicalreaction; and/or residual heat from a previous explosion cycle.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the Ignition Chamber mechanism, and/or theReaction Chamber mechanism, for containing and controlling saidexplosive reaction is comprised as a tubular or cylindrical metalchamber with one or more inlet and outlet portals.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the Ignition Chamber mechanism and/or the ReactionChamber mechanism is comprised with one or more fixed or removablespherical, circular, or conical end cap structures for the purpose ofreflecting, focusing, and intensifying said explosion shockwaves,turbulence, and adiabatic influence.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe Ignition Chamber mechanism, and/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism,is comprised with one or more coils of metal tube or bar placedcircumferentially inside the Ignition Chamber for the purpose ofinducing additional obstacle-based turbulence to an explosion reactioncontained in, or passing through, said chamber/s.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the Ignition Chamber mechanism, and/or the Reaction Chambermechanism, is comprised with one or more internal annular orificefocusing rings for the purpose of inducing additional obstacle-basedturbulence to an explosion reaction contained in, or passing through,said chamber/s.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the Ignition Chambermechanism, and/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism, is comprised with oneor more parabolic focusing walls or end cap structures whereupon theexplosion's shockwave forces an adiabatic shock reflection episode tooccur upon an imploding air/fuel pocket, which has been adiabaticallyforced into the confines of the parabolic structure and is thus overcomeby the ensuing flame-front of the explosion's propagation, whichinfluences an acceleration of the violence and turbulence of theexplosion event and the amount of heat generated by the explosionepisode.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the Ignition Chambermechanism, and/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism, is comprised with oneor more internally positioned parabolic structures, to contain,concentrate, and reflect an explosion episode's shockwave andflame-front.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said energy generatingsystem and is configured into one or more embodiments based upon theapplication of the energy produced by said explosion event in one ormore arrangements as generally described in FIG. A and are comprised bythe direct heat, direct pressure, indirect heat; and/or indirectpressure mechanisms of an explosion cycle and/or combined variations ofthese embodiments.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said energygenerating system is comprised in one or more embodiments, as generallydescribed in FIGS. B-1, C-1 thru C-4, and E, and is based upon using thedirect heat energy produced by said explosion event to influence adirect heat-to-fluid reaction resulting in a littoral explosion impulseof steam pressure.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said energygenerating system is comprised in one or more embodiments, as generallydescribed in FIGS. B-5 and P and is based upon using the indirect heatenergy produced by said explosion event to supply thermal energy to aboiler and/or an external combustion engine and/or any other heat orheat-to-energy process.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said energygenerating system is comprised in one or more embodiments, as generallydescribed in FIGS. B-2, G-1 thru G-6, H-1 thru H-2, J, and L, and isbased upon using the direct pressure produced by said explosion event toprovide thrust to a piston and/or thrust to a turbine and/or ThrustTranslator components for energy production purposes.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein said energy generating system is comprised in one ormore embodiments, as generally described in FIGS. B-3, B-4, D, F, and I,and is based upon using the indirect pressure produced when anexplosion's pressure and heat discharge meets a body of fluid within theprocess system causing an episode of fluid displacement as the fluid ispropelled away from the blast force by the pressure and generated steampressure wave of the quench front creating a second episode of fluiddisplacement, which also propels fluid volume forward initially andthen, as condensation ensues, a vacuum phase draws fluid from thecavitation reaction of the imploding steam bubbles and thereby rechargesthe fluid reservoir with the vacuum induced water hammer effect of thefluids being drawn in to fill the cavitated voids thus providing for aflow of process fluids.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system utilizes the negative phaseof an induced explosion episode (or post explosion vacuum phase), whichdraws fuel, air, and/or other explosion supporting and/or propagatingsubstances into the Ignition and/or Reaction Chamber/s to facilitate theinitiation of another explosion event cycle.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein one or more embodiments of said Ignition Chamber mechanismand/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism is comprised with one or moreinjection portals, whereas an applied pneumatic or mechanical force isused to thrust and propel an airborne concentration comprising one ormore substances (including dust or suspended particles, air, oxygen,oxidizing substances, gas, vapor, and/or aerosol) through a pipe, hose,valve body, portal orifice, or other passageway into said IgnitionChamber and/or Reaction Chamber.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein oneor more embodiments of said energy generating system comprisesarrangements with or without pressure relief and/or check valvemechanisms (FIG. I).
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system comprises one or moreadjustable check valve mechanisms, which are used within the system'sfluid and/or gas flow processing network to obtain the desired flowpattern and to assure that maximum efficiency is maintained throughoutthe process operations.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system's pressure relief and checkvalve mechanisms are comprised as being mechanically or automaticallyactuated via the process control system by an electrical, magnetic,pneumatic, hydraulic, or other such mechanically actuated artificial ornatural means or mechanism, which will operate to vent the fluid/gaspressure and thermal release episodes at the appropriate pressure momentin each explosion cycle.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system comprises one or moreadjustable relief pressure valve mechanisms, which are used within thesystem's Ignition Chamber and/or Reaction Chamber to relieve explosionpressures and obtain the appropriate measure of backpressure resistance.21. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel source comprises apulverized coal dust (including bituminous, sub-bituminous, anthracite,lignite and peat grades, Powder River Basin coals, brown coal, coalslurry, hydrocarbon fines, etc.), which is suspended in an airbornecloud within said energy generating system and thus ignited into arepetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energy and/ormotive force.
 22. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized grain dust (including corn, wheat, soybeans, rice,seed, nuts, hulls, etc.), which is suspended in an airborne cloud withinsaid energy generating system and thus ignited into a repetitive seriesof explosion cycles for the purposes energy and/or motive force.
 23. Themethod of claim 2, whereas the fuel source comprises a pulverizedbiomass or vegetative dusts (including alfalfa, coffee, cocoa, tobacco,potato, cork, peels, shells, cellulosic matter, grass, biologicalmatter, fungi, aquatic plant life and algae, etc.), which is suspendedin an airborne cloud within said energy generating system and thusignited into a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposesenergy and/or motive force.
 24. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuelsource comprises pulverized foodstuff dusts (including sugar, starch,flour, spices, malt, cereal, soy protein, etc.), which is suspended inan airborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 25. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized agricultural by-product/waste (including corncob,wheat straw, animal meal, manure, etc.), which is suspended in anairborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 26. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized wood and/or paper dust particles (including,sawdust, bark, pulp, leaves, mulch, etc.), which is suspended in anairborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 27. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized plastic dust particles (including polyethylene,polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, poly vinyl chloride [PVC],epoxy, etc.), which is suspended in an airborne cloud within said energygenerating system and thus ignited into a repetitive series of explosioncycles for the purposes energy and/or motive force.
 28. The method ofclaim 2, whereas the fuel source comprises pulverized metal particledust (including aluminum, magnesium, zinc, boron, tin, iron, silicon,etc.), which is suspended in an airborne cloud within said energygenerating system and thus ignited into a repetitive series of explosioncycles for the purposes energy and/or motive force.
 29. The method ofclaim 2, whereas the fuel source comprises pulverized textile fiberand/or particle dusts (including cotton, rayon, nylon, etc.), which issuspended in an airborne cloud within said energy generating system andthus ignited into a repetitive series of explosion cycles for thepurposes energy and/or motive force.
 30. The method of claim 2, whereasthe fuel source comprises pulverized chemical dust particles (includingcellulose acetate, ethyl acetate, etc.), which is suspended in anairborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 31. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized non-typical mineral and/or rock dusts (includingcoal-shale, oil-shale, tar sands, peats, petroleum solids, petrochemicaland/or oil and gas products or byproducts, etc.), which is suspended inan airborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 32. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises pulverized waste material particle dusts (including solidwaste, municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, shocksensitive and/or explosives waste, sewage, etc.), which is suspended inan airborne cloud within said energy generating system and thus ignitedinto a repetitive series of explosion cycles for the purposes energyand/or motive force.
 33. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuel sourcecomprises an airborne suspension of one or more types of ignitableparticulate dusts, which are used to propagate an explosion event withinsaid energy generating system.
 34. The method of claim 2, whereas thefuel source comprises an airborne suspension of one or more ignitablegasses, which are used to propagate an explosion event within saidenergy generating system.
 35. The method of claim 2, whereas the fuelsource comprises an airborne suspension of one or more ignitable aerosolliquids and/or vapors, which are used to propagate an explosion eventwithin said energy generating system.
 36. The method of claim 2, whereasthe fuel source comprises a pre-heated blend of ignitable particulatesolids, and/or combustible gas, and/or an aerosol or vapor of flammableor combustible atomized liquid droplets.
 37. The method of claim 2,whereas the fuel source comprises the addition of air and/or one or moresolid, liquid, and/or gaseous oxidizing substances.
 38. The method ofclaim 2, whereas the fuel source comprises an aspect of using gassesliberated by the distillation of coal, peat, shales, wood, oil, orvegetative substances as fuel and/or fuel enhancements within a processthat converts explosive thermo-dynamic force into heart, steam, and/ordirect pressure for energy utilization purposes.
 39. The method of claim1, wherein one or more embodiments of said Ignition Chamber mechanism,and/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism, is comprised with a pre-fire airand/or gas pressure load, which is applied to said chamber's interioratmosphere prior to igniting the airborne fuel-gas suspension cloud;wherein the adiabatic pressure potential of the ensuing explosion eventis influenced by the addition of this step and the flame-fronttemperature and pressure release of the subsequent exothermic reactionis boosted by the adiabatic kinetics thus creating a greater degree ofpressure and/or heat.
 40. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said Ignition Chamber mechanism, and/or the ReactionChamber mechanism, comprise a system for producing steam pressure byrouting the thermodynamics release of said explosive reaction into atarget fluid body for the purpose of flash vaporizing said quantity offluid into steam pressure as generally described in FIGS. B-1, B-3, C-1,C-2, C-3, C-4, D, and E.
 41. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system comprises of a means toinitiate a process contained explosion event series for inducingpressure wave episodes, due to the very rapid episode steam generation,which occurs when the explosive energy directly contacts a quantity offluid and vaporizes said fluid into steam pressure; whereas saidpressure wave episode is used to drive a device or working fluid for thepurpose of producing torque and/or thrust for generating energy,momentum, or motive force and/or heat for an process application asgenerally described in FIGS. B-4, E, I, K, P, and Q.
 42. The method ofclaim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said energy generatingsystem comprises a means of mixing explosion exhaust emissions withsteam and said exhaust/steam mixture is thereby injected into a fluidbody as generally described in FIGS. B-3, B-4, D, E, I, K and Q.
 43. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said energygenerating system comprises a means of injecting generated steam into aprocess system fluid reservoirs to induce a steam implosion reaction forthe purpose of creating a cavitation or vacuum of fluids in said systemto generate a flow of fluids for energy recovery and/or the reduction ofemissions as generally described in FIGS. B-3, B-4, D, E, I, K and Q.44. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of saidenergy generating system comprises a means of inducing an electricalcurrent into the process system fluid zones and/or reservoirs subject tolittoral reaction and/or steam implosion influence for the purpose ofeffecting an improved pollutant removal mechanism; whereby solid andgaseous contaminants are transferred to the fluid medium of the processreservoir and are thus subject to treatment activities.
 45. The methodof claim 1, wherein in one or more embodiments the Ignition Chamberconsists of a cylinder and piston configuration for accept the directpressure force of the explosion episode and translate said explosiveforce into a direct displacement force.
 46. The method of claim 45,wherein in one or more embodiments of the cylinder and pistonconfiguration consists of a free piston arrangement as described inFIGS. G-1 thru G-6; wherein the piston is driven forward by theexplosion episode and releases its heat and pressure at a port positionin the cylinder wall, wherein the released energy is routed to anotherchamber within the same cylinder and flash converts a quantity ofworking fluid into steam pressure, which drives another piston alsoconnected to the first piston by a connecting rod assembly back to theoriginal starting position, thus allowing for a complete cycle of pistonmovement down the cylinder by the direct pressure of the blast episodeand back again due to the steam expansion factor driving the otherpiston in a counter force arrangement thus translating both the heat andpressure release of said explosive force into a useable mode of thrustfor energy recovery purposes.
 47. The method of claim 45, wherein in oneor more embodiments of the cylinder and piston configuration consists ofa piston and crankshaft arrangement as described in FIGS. H-1 thru H-2;wherein two separate or combined piston and crankshaft configurationsare connected and joined at the heat and pressure outlet of the firstignition engine segment and the intake portal of the second steam enginesegment, whereas the released energy from the first cylinder and pistonarrangement is routed to the second chamber which is located eitherwithin the same engine block assembly or arranged with two adjacentand/or connected block assemblies, wherein the first cylinder operatesmuch like a standard combustion engine within the second cylinder beingthus arranged to inject a volume of fluid or steam pressure at or nearthe full compression position of the piston where the heat and pressureof the exhaust gas load are maximized, whereas the injected fluid flashconverts into steam pressure, which provides the pressure cycle for thesecond piston cylinder arrangement and thus completes a cycle oftranslation for both the heat and pressure release of said explosiveforce into a useable mode of thrust for energy recovery purposes. 48.The method of claim 14, whereas one or more embodiments of said energygenerating system, comprises of a process arrangement including one ormore fluid-gas separation vessels or tanks are included in the systempiping network designated to receive the exhausted and expelled fluidand/or gaseous force flow of the explosion event wherein these vesselsfunction to contain air pocket reservoir in the upper cavity of thevessel and fluid in the lower cavity volume of the vessel, thusproviding a means of absorbing the shockwave of displaced fluid/gasvolumes using the gas compression mechanism offered by this in-linearrangement.
 49. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more embodimentsof said energy generating system's steam conversion mechanism iscomprised by one or more components, which may include a filtrationdevice to be located between the point of steam generation and a steamturbine or other such energy translation apparatus, for the purpose ofremoving solid particles and other contaminants from the flow of mixedsteam and exhaust.
 50. A system and protocol according to claim 1 hereindescribed as the Explo-Dynamics Flash Steam Conversion Cycle and iscomprised of the following steps: a) A confined process system isconfigured and provided to supply and support the energy conversionprocess (FIG. C-1 thru C-4, Component Items No: 1-12); b) An ignitablefuel (solid, gaseous, and/or liquid or any singular or combinationmixture thereof) is injected into the first stage (thermo-dynamicreaction) chamber of Flash Steam Conversion process (FIG. C-1, ComponentItems No: 4-5, Sequences: 1-3); c) A quantity of air and/or anotheroxidizing substance is injected into the first stage (thermo-dynamicreaction) Ignition Chamber of the Flash Steam Conversion process (FIG.C-1, Component Items: 3 and/or 5, Sequence 1-3); d) An ignitionmechanism is triggered by a process control computer system to produce aspark or other ignition mechanism into the stage one chambers internalatmosphere (FIG. C-1, Component Item No. 6, Sequence 4); e) The fuelcloud is ignited and an explosive reaction is initiated within theconfines of the first stage (thermo-dynamic reaction) chamber of theFlash Steam Conversion process (FIG. C-1 thru C-2, Component Item 1,Sequence 4-9); f) The blast wave initiated within the confines of thefirst stage (thermo-dynamic reaction) chamber of the Flash SteamConversion is stimulated by internal obstructions designed to increaseturbulence (FIG. C-1 thru C-3, Item 1, Sequence 4-10); g) The shock waveinitiated within the confines of the first stage (thermo-dynamicreaction) chamber of the Flash Steam Conversion process is used tosimulate a piston effect by creating an imploding annular shock wavethereby compressing an air pocket ahead of the blast wave (FIG. C-2 thruC-3, Component Item 1, Sequence 6-10); h) The imploding air pocket isforced into one or more parabolic reflection structures within thereaction cylinder thus creating an adiabatically enhanced thermal outputeffect as the blast wave overcomes this zone of stimulation and retreatsin the path of least resistance (FIG. C-2, Component Items 1 and 7,Sequence 6-7); i) The intensified blast wave travels to and through apressure relief mechanism (FIG. C-3, Component Item 7, Sequence 9-12);j) The intensified blast wave travels to and through a confined fluidload zone within the system (FIG. C-3 thru C-4, Component Item 8,Sequence 10-13); k) The stimulated thermal energy pulse causes a flashconversion of the fluid load into a quantity of steam and excessivethermal forces within the ensuing blast wave dissociate a quantity ofhydrogen and/or other gasses contained within the target fluid (FIG. C-3thru C-4, Component Item 8, Sequence 10-13); l) The steam and,dissociated hydrogen, oxygen and residual water vapor are propelled bythe blast wave and are driven into and through a check valve into thesecond stage chamber of the Flash Steam Conversion process (FIG. C-3thru C-4, Component Items: 8, 9, and 2, Sequence 10-13); m) The heatfrom the ensuing blast wave ignites the dissociated hydrogen gas and theliberated oxygen, which supports and enhances the thermal conversion ofthe residual fluid into additional steam pressure (FIG. C-3 thru C-4,Items: 8, 9, and 2, Sequence 10-13); n) The steam pressure generated inthe Flash Steam Conversion process is discharged into a steam-to-energymechanism for creating torque or thrust for generating electricity ormotive force for the propulsion of a vehicle, watercraft, and/or process(FIG. C-4, Component Item 10, Sequence 13-16); o) Once steam pressuresare sufficiently relieved from the system, the next reaction sequence isinitiated as multiple duplicated Explo-Dynamics process components areutilized as a sequenced means of combining the energy produced from eachprocess unit to produce a smoother and greater delivery of energy (FIG.C-4, Component Items: 1-10, Sequence 13-16).
 51. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, whereas a certain embodiment, referred to herein as a ThrustTranslator, an embodiment of which is generally described in FIG. L, isused for transforming an explosion release episode into a stable outputof energy by means of direct pressure displacement, and therebycomprises a heavy turbine wheel arrangement (as noted in FIG. J)containing or receiving a small amount of fluid for steam drive boost tothe rotation; whereupon the exhaust gasses and steam are expelled at apoint in the rotation thus a rotation force is supplied and added to theflywheel effect established by the rotation of the turbine, whichreceives direct pulse explosion thrust force and thus drives animpeller, pump, or shaft to a generator unit for energy conversion ofthe explosive pulse episode into a rotational torque force.
 52. Anapparatus according to claim 1, herein referred to as a Pulse ConverterTurbine, an embodiment of which is generally described in FIG. J,whereas said apparatus may be configured in either fluid or gasoperation mode and thereby is comprised a chamber with inlet and outletorifices designed to route flows in a circumferential manner inside saidchamber housing; wherein said Pulse Converter Turbine apparatus is avariation of a standard turbine arrangement; whereupon the annular spacebetween the impeller vanes or flites and the turbine housing is greaterat the entry inlet position and gradually tapers down to a closerdistance and reduction of annular space near the out point thustransferring explosive displacement impulse forces of fluid-gas flowinto rotational energy to turn and/or provide torque to a shaft.
 53. Anapparatus according to claim 1, herein referred to as a Charge InjectionUnit, an embodiment of which is generally described in FIG. N, Example1, whereas said apparatus comprises of a chamber or cylinder withprocess controlled inlet and outlet valve mechanisms and a pistonapparatus being driven by a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, orelectronic force; whereas the piston draws a slug or charge of fuel/gasmixture from the fuel mix cyclone assembly, or Tornado Chamber asreferred to herein, and forcefully propels said charge into theExplo-Dynamics blast chamber for ignition.
 54. An apparatus according toclaim 1, herein referred to as a Charge Injection Unit, an embodiment ofwhich is generally described in FIG. N, Example 1, whereas saidapparatus comprises of a chamber tank or cylinder with processcontrolled inlet and outlet valves and a piston apparatus being drivenby a pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, or electronic force; whereas theinjection chamber tank draws a slug or charge of fuel/gas mixture fromthe Tornado Chamber and via a high pressure release air burst,forcefully propels said charge into said energy generating system'sblast chamber for ignition; whereupon there are three processsub-components to this component, which are: (a) the Vacuum Componentcomprises: a vacuum pump, a vacuum chamber tank, a process controlactuated inlet valve; (b) the Pressure Component comprises: acompressor, compressed air tank, a process control actuated outletvalve; and (c) the Charge Injection Component comprises: a mixed fuelinjection chamber tank, a process control actuated thrust valve, and ahigh pressure charge tank.
 55. An apparatus according to claim 1, hereinreferred to as a Charge Injection Unit (FIG. N, Example 2) whereas saidapparatus comprises of a process piping arrangement; wherein a blower isused to propel a quantity of airborne fuel/air/gas mixture into the fuelmix chamber and/or Ignition Chamber for subsequent ignition; whereas amanifold transport arrangement provides for a continuous forced air flowof fuel-laden air to the Ignition Chamber/s and a blow-by or return lineleading said manifold line back to said Tornado Chamber thusconstituting a closed loop network for providing a pre-mixed supply offuel and air/oxidizer at the intake portal connection of said IgnitionChamber.
 56. An apparatus according to claim 1, herein referred to as aCharge Injection Unit, an embodiment of which is generally described inFIG. N, Example 3, whereas said apparatus comprises a piston, cylinderand hopper arrangement, which gravity feeds powder into a cylinderchamber, which is subject to the force of a piston or a driving pressureblast to propel the charge into the Ignition Chamber for fueling saidexplosion episode.
 57. An apparatus according to claim 1, hereinreferred to as a Tornado Chamber, an embodiment of which is generallydescribed in FIG. O, whereas said apparatus comprises an airtightcyclone chamber with a powered impellor component within to create aturbulence of ignitable dust and/or aerosol particles and/or gasseswithin an airborne air and/or gas atmosphere; whereupon said TornadoChamber contains portals that are electronically controlled via aprogrammable logic control network, which is driven by a processcomputer system, and through these computer process actuated inlet andoutlet portals, dust and/or aerosol feedstocks, flammable gas, oxidizingsubstances, and/or air are mixed in the turbulence created therein andthus creates a controlled fuel mix supply for the energy generatingsystem.
 58. An apparatus according to claim 1, herein referred to as theExplo-Indirect Steam Process, an embodiment of which is generallydescribed in FIG. P, whereas said apparatus comprises an energygenerating system in a certain embodiment; wherein an explosion event isintroduced and thus drives an adiabatic implosion episode and increasingthe heat and blast violence by means of the shockwave stimulation of theblast wave; whereupon by means of a relief valve mechanism, the pressureinfluenced and accelerated thermal heat episode is discharged into astructurally reinforced boiler chamber containing tubes of piping filledwith fluids for thermal conversion into a steam pressure supply source.59. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein in one or moreembodiments of the present invention comprise a free pistonconfiguration, an embodiment of which is generally described in FIGS.G-1 through G-6; wherein, the apparatus is comprised of a cylindercontaining a unified connecting rod with two pistons allowing for thrustin a counter direction movement, a partition disk with a seal to allowthe connecting rod to travel between the heat pressure and steam segmentportion of the cylinder, portals with flow control valves to allow forfuel input, heat and pressure transfer, steam and exhaust output, andpressure differential transfer between the cylinder segment linkageconduits, as well as one or more process controlled igniter placements,a fluid injection point, portals for sensor array connections, acylinder rod exit seal, and process controlled flow valves, and aprocess control system.
 60. An apparatus of claim 1, herein referred toas the Pressure/Gas Drive Configuration, an embodiment of which isgenerally described in FIG. K; whereas said apparatus consists of acylinder and chamber arrangement with a free piston floating upon a bodyof process contained fluid, wherein an explosive force is initiatedwhich drives a floating piston downward against said fluid, whichresponds to the force applied and passes into another chamber thru acheck valve mechanism; whereupon the in-coming fluids drive a gaspressure pocket into compression episode in the upper extremities ofsaid gas separation chamber and therein a gas drive influence is createdwhich drives the fluid from the reservoir chamber in a stabilized flowto a turbine or other mechanism for energy recovery and conversion. 61.The method of claim 14, whereas one or more embodiments of said energygenerating system consists of using the release of explosive pulseenergy to propel a fluid through process system piping network upgradient to a reservoir for controlled gravitational release to drive adown gradient turbine for power generation purposes.
 62. The method ofclaim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said Ignition Chambermechanism, and/or the Reaction Chamber mechanism, for containing andcontrolling said explosive reaction comprises a process environmentconducive to stimulating and controlling a deflagration to detonation(DDT) reaction for the purpose of magnifying the pressure and thermaloutput of a process contained explosion for energy production purposes.63. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of saidenergy generating system is used as a heat production resourcecomprising a heat and steam generation mechanism, wherein this energy isused to distill a particulate slurry of pulverized coal and thus producea methanol distillate and/or a coal gas mixture comprising hydrogen,methane, carbon monoxide, and other minute gaseous substances.
 64. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said energygenerating system is used as a heat production resource comprising aheat and steam generation mechanism, wherein this energy is used toinduce a distillation process upon a liquefied mixture of pulverizedorganic compounds thus producing a combustible gas and/or organicsolvent liquid distillate.
 65. The method of claim 1, wherein one ormore embodiments of said energy generating system is used as a heat andpressure production resource comprising a heat and steam generationmechanism, wherein this energy is used to provide thermal energy tosupport a chemical process such as a water gas shift reaction, aFischer-Tropsch process, steam methane reforming (SMR) reaction, oranother hydrocarbon reformation process for liberating gasses.
 66. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said energygenerating system is used as a heat production resource comprising aheat and steam generation mechanism, wherein this energy is used toinduce a distillation process upon a liquefied mixture of pulverizedgrains and/or other vegetative matter thus producing liquid distillateof ethanol and/or methanol and/or a combustible gas and/or other gaseoussubstances.
 67. The method of claim 1, whereas one or more embodimentsof said energy generating system comprises a means of supplying heat andtorque generated from excess gas and/or fluid drive pressures associatedwith the various fluid-gas separation components incorporated within theenergy generating system; whereas said heat and/or pressure forcesand/or other system surplus energies are used to pulverize and/or dryfuel stocks for powering said energy system.
 68. The method of claim 1,wherein one or more embodiments of said energy generating system is usedas a means of producing torque or thrust thereby comprising the motiveforce necessary to drive a pump to displace and propel water or otherfluid substances.
 69. The method of claim 1, wherein one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system is used as a heatproduction resource comprising a heat and steam generation mechanism,wherein this energy resource is used to effect a thermal energy releaseinto a heat-to-energy conversion process via one or more of thefollowing methods: the thermionics method, the vacuum gap tube process,and/or the solid-state thermal diode process, Solid State Heat Engine(SSHE) technology, the Peltier—Seebeck thermoelectric effect, and/orThermopile conversion.
 70. The method of claim 1, whereas one or moreembodiments of said energy generating system is used to supply heat forexternal combustion engine cycles comprising one or more of thefollowing cycles: Stirling, Rankine, Brayton, Ericsson, and/or Stoddardand/or any combination thereof.
 71. The method of claim 1, wherein oneor more embodiments of said energy generating system is comprised anarrangement with steam pressure from one or more process units beingrouted into a multi-chamber steam turbine assembly to allow steampressure impulses from multiple process reactions to flow independentlyand contribute to the generation of torque applied to a common shaft ormotive force.
 72. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more embodimentsof said energy generating system's process control mechanism iscomprised by one or more components, which may include a microprocessor,programmable logic controller array, and/or computer system, which isused to support process control activities by monitoring fuelattributes, flows, inventories and thus triggering the transfer andignition of said fuel in and through a series of multiple explosivereaction cycles whereupon the energy release is monitored and variousprocess components are activated and deactivated according to apre-programmed sequence with limits of operation as well as providingfor the monitoring and control of the subsequent energy conversionoperations managed therein.
 73. The method of claim 1, wherein one ormore embodiments of the energy generating system's process controlsystem is comprised by one or more components, which may include adifferential thermal analyzer (DTA) (and/or its functional equivalent),is used to monitor the exothermic reaction characteristics of ancontained explosion event pursuant to a process for the conversion ofexplosive force into a usable energy resource.
 74. The method of claim1, wherein one or more embodiments of the energy generating system'sprocess control system is comprised by one or more components, which mayinclude a condensation particle counter and/or a nano-particle aerosolcounter (and/or their functional equivalents), are used to measure anairborne suspension of particles to be used as a fuel for a process. 75.The method of claim 1, wherein the energy generating system's processcontrol system is comprised by one or more components, which may includea high speed infrared pyrometer sensor and portal mount window utilizinga sapphire, quartz, or other heat and pressure resistant lens components(and/or their functional equivalents) to allow for process temperaturemonitoring and control.
 76. The method of claim 1, wherein the energygenerating system's process control system is comprised by one or morecomponents, which may include a high-pressure differential scanningcalorimeter (HPDSC) (and/or its functional equivalent), which is used tomonitor the exothermic reaction characteristics of an containedexplosion event pursuant to a process for the conversion of explosiveforce into a usable energy resource.
 77. The method of claim 1, whereinthe energy generating system's process control system is comprised byone or more components, which may include a laser photometer (and/or itsfunctional equivalent) with real-time mass concentration measurement anddata logging capability, which is used for measuring airborne fuel cloudconcentrations.
 78. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy generatingsystem's process control system is comprised by one or more components,which may include a mass flow meter (and/or its functional equivalent),which is used to monitor airborne dust composition and concentration forfuel mixtures.
 79. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy generatingsystem's process control system is comprised by one or more components,which may include a probe emitting near-infrared radiation (and/or itsfunctional equivalent), which monitors process atmospheres containingairborne fuel dust mixtures, whereas the infrared radiation is reflectedfrom the dust's surface back to a silicon photodiode in the opticalmodule thus measuring an airborne suspension of dust to be used as afuel.
 80. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy generating system'sprocess control system is comprised by one or more components, which mayinclude a spectrometer (and/or its functional equivalent), which is usedto determine the Aerodynamic Particle Size using high-resolution,real-time aerodynamic measurements of particle size distributions formeasuring airborne fuel cloud concentrations.
 81. The method of claim 1,wherein the energy generating system's process control system iscomprised by one or more components, which may include a spectrometricsensor (and/or its functional equivalent), which is used as a particlesizer to measure light-scattering intensity in the equivalent opticalsize range for the purposes of measuring and regulating airborne fuelcloud concentration levels.
 82. The method of claim 1, wherein theenergy generating system's process control system is comprised by one ormore components, which may include a thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA)(and/or its functional equivalent), which is used to monitor theexothermic reaction characteristics of an contained explosion eventpursuant to a process for the conversion of explosive force into anusable energy resource.
 83. The method of claim 1, wherein the energygenerating system's control system is comprised by one or morecomponents, which may include a laser particle counter (and/or itsfunctional equivalent), which is used to monitor the airborne dustcomposition and concentration for fuel mixtures.
 84. The method of claim1, wherein one or more embodiments of the energy generating system'sprocess control system is comprised by one or more components, which mayinclude a light scattering photometer (and/or its functionalequivalent), which is used to monitor airborne dust composition andconcentration for fuel mixtures.
 85. The method of claim 1, wherein oneor more embodiments of the energy generating system's process controlsystem is comprised by one or more components, which may include anAerodynamic Particle Sizer spectrometer (and/or its functionalequivalent), which is used to monitor airborne dust composition andconcentration for fuel mixtures.
 86. The method of claim 1, wherein oneor more embodiments of said Ignition Chamber mechanism, and/or theReaction Chamber mechanism, for containing and controlling saidexplosive reaction is comprised with one or more piezo-electric pressuretransducer sensor components (and/or its functional equivalent), toallow for process pressure monitoring and control.
 87. The method ofclaim 14, one or more embodiments of the energy generating systemcomprises a process arrangement using explosive pulse energy to propel afluid into a closed vessel containing an air pocket in its upperextremities thereby creating a mechanism for compressing said air pocketand applying pneumatic pressure to drive a steady effluent stream offluid out of said vessel into a turbine for power generation purposes asgenerally described in FIG. K.
 88. The method of claim 45, one or moreembodiments of the energy generating system comprises an ignitionmechanism utilizing one or more igniters, glow plugs, and compressionignition mechanisms for igniting said fuel as per the compression forceof a piston or other compression device; whereas said arrangement offersthe flexibility necessary to efficiently process multiple fuel statesand mixture scenarios.
 89. The method of claim 47, one or moreembodiments of the energy generating system comprises an improvement andallows for different lubrication reservoirs to be maintained for theseparated fuel explosion cylinder and the steam explosion cylinder,which in itself further allows for different component materials to beused and different output power profiles to be maintained; whereinengine reliability, durability and power outputs can be optimized bysaid arrangement.
 90. The method of claim 11, one or more embodiments ofthe energy generating system's fluid body, which is subject to steamconversion, comprises a working fluid in a critical or supercriticalfluid state or a conversion state wherein these critical working fluidsare being depressurized, condensing, or otherwise in the process ofbeing transformed into steam pressure.
 91. The method of claim 1, one ormore embodiments of the energy generating system is used as a heatproduction resource comprising a heat and steam generation mechanism,wherein this energy is used to directly or indirectly support: fixed bedgasification, fluidized bed gasification, entrained bed gasification,pyrolysis gasification, and/or insitu gasification of coal, oil shale,tar sands, or other hydrocarbon containing substances.
 92. The method ofclaim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of the energy generating systemis used as a heat source comprising a means of producing an enhancedthermal energy pulse for supporting a dissociation reaction for thethermolysis of water or other fluids and/or the dissociation of a gassuch as hydrogen and/or methane.
 93. The method of claim 1, wherein oneor more embodiments of the energy generating system is used as a heatsource comprising a means of producing an enhanced thermal energy pulsefor supporting direct thermal water-splitting or thermochemcialwater-splitting processes.
 94. The method of claim 1, wherein one ormore embodiments of the energy generating system, a method is comprisedby process arrangements incorporating an aspect of fluid displacementand thereby utilizing a centrifugal water pump, or other electricallypowered water pumping mechanism, and thus being configured and subjectedto reverse flow conditions and therein providing a means for the motorto produce electricity instead of consuming electricity.
 95. The methodof claim 1, wherein one or more embodiments of said energy generatingsystem comprises multiple process units being collectively applied toproduce a greater and more stable amount of heat and pressure forces forsubsequent energy conversion purposes
 96. The method of claim 1, whereinone or more embodiments of said energy generating system is comprisedwith cooling mechanisms including water jacket arrangements, fluidsprays, heat exchangers, and/or radiators to provide for the continuouscooling of various process components.
 97. The method of claim 43,wherein one or more embodiments of the energy generating system's steaminjection method comprises a mechanism for injecting steam and/orexhaust gasses into a pipe, conduit, chamber, or other fluid containingprocess system component; whereas said injection system may eitherconsist of a outside border or circumferential port arrangement toinject steam and/or exhaust pressure into a stream of fluid from theoutside border of the channel conduit, tube, pipe or other injectionmechanism, or an arrangement to introduce a jet of steam and/or exhaustpressure to the inside of a moving fluid channel with channel fluidflows surrounding said injection jet assembly; wherein the purpose ofthese injection mechanisms is to create a flow of fluid for energyconversion and recovery purposes and/or to provide a means for treatingand reducing exhaust emissions.
 98. The method of claim 1, wherein oneor more embodiments of said energy generating system comprises a systemoperation practice of establishing and maintaining a heated processfluid reservoir temperature for the purpose of reducing the severity ofthe water hammer effect caused by steam implosion episodes inducedwithin said process system reservoir associated with several embodimentvariations of the present invention.
 99. A system and protocol accordingto claim 1 herein described as the Free-Piston Engine Configuration andis generally comprised of the following steps: (a) (in the IgnitionSegment) fuel is vacuum or pressure injected into Ignition Chambersegment of said engine chamber (FIG. G-2, Sequence 5); (in the SteamSegment) building steam pressure provides thrust to the steam pistonpropelling said steam piston toward its expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1,Sequences 1-4, G-2, Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11); (b) (in theIgnition Segment) the unified piston assembly compresses said fuel(FIGS. G-2, Sequences 6-8 and G-3, Sequences 9-11); (in the SteamSegment) continuously expanding steam pressure provides thrust to thesteam piston and it travels toward full expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1,Sequences 1-4, G-2, Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11); (c) (in theIgnition Segment) an ignition event is triggered by either the processcontrol system acting through an ignition mechanism or by a pressureinduced by steam pressure even proving thrust from the other pistonfront within the steam segment of said engine chamber (FIG. G-3,Sequence 12); (in the Steam Segment) a release valve is process controlor mechanically actuated allowing a rapid release of steam pressure andthe steam driven piston reaches the full expansion position; whereas thepressures against the segment partition seal are relieved by dischargingpressure into the other segment partition behind the ignition piston orby venting said pressures out of the engine and a shockabsorbing/rebound mechanism relieves the residual thrust of the strokeas the piston begins the retraction process (FIG. G-3, Sequence 12); (d)(in the Ignition Segment) explosively expanding gasses drive the unifiedpiston assembly back toward the steam segment (FIGS. G-4, Sequences13-16 and G-5, Sequences 17-20); (in the Steam Segment) the steampressures continues to escape the steam segment of said engineconfiguration and allows the depressurized steam piston to begin itsretraction stroke in response to the ignition pressure exerted from theignition segment (FIGS. G-4, Sequences 13-16, G-5, Sequences 17-20, andG-6, Segment 21) (e) (in the Ignition Segment) one or more exhaust portsin the cylinder wall allow the expanding gas front to escape theIgnition Chamber segment and transfer the heat and pressure release to alinkage conduit connecting the steam segment (FIGS. G-6, Sequences 21-24and G-1, Sequence 1); (in the Steam Segment) as full depressurizationoccurs, a quantity of fluid is injected into the steam sector and thelinkage conduit transmits a heated exhaust burst from the ignitionsegment, which is flash converted into steam pressure (FIG. G-6,Sequence 24); (f) (in the Ignition Segment) the piston reaches the fullexpansion position in the ignition segment and a shock absorbing/reboundmechanism relieves the residual thrust of the stroke as the pistonbegins the retraction process and the pressures against the segmentpartition seal are relieved by discharging pressure into the othersegment partition behind the steam piston or by venting said pressuresout of the engine; (FIGS. G-1, Sequence 1-2); (in the Steam Segment) theflash converted steam pressures build an provide thrust against thesteam piston driving said piston to compress the ignition segment pistoninto a compression stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequence 1-3); (g) (in theIgnition Segment) the ignition segment piston responds to the forceexerted from the steam segment, and begins to travel toward another fuelcompression stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequence 2-4); (in the Steam Segment) thebuilding steam pressure provides thrust to the steam piston propellingsaid steam piston toward its expansion stroke (FIGS. G-1, Sequences 1-4,G-2, Sequences 5-8, and G-3, Sequences 9-11); and thus a complete enginecycle is constituted by these steps of system and protocol, which arerepeated to deliver a means of thrust for energy conversion purposes.100. A system and protocol according to claim 1 herein described as thepiston crankshaft configuration or the Explo-Steam engine embodiment andis generally comprised in the following steps: (a) the ignition drivenengine segment's piston reaches the full compression stroke of theexhaust phase and the exhaust valve releases the compressed exhaust heatgasses into the linkage manifold wherein said gasses enter the intakevalve of the littoral reaction engine segment (FIG. H-1, Sequence 1);(b) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston retracts, the exhaustvalve closes and the intake valve opens allowing a fuel/air mixture tobe drawn in said cylinder; likewise, the littoral reaction enginesegment's piston begins a compression stroke against the input load ofexhaust gasses (FIG. H-1, Sequence 2-3); (c) as the ignition drivenengine segment's piston compresses the fuel/air mixture, the littoralreaction engine segment's piston reaches a full compression stroke;whereas at or near this interval a quantity of working fluid is injectedinto said cylinder (FIGS. H-1, Sequence 3-4); (d) as the ignition drivenengine segment's piston reaches full compression stroke, the fuel/airmixture is heated to an explosion of said fuel mix; likewise, thelittoral reaction engine segment's piston retracts in a full powerstroke against the expanding steam pressure event (FIG. H-2, Sequence5); (e) as the ignition driven engine segment's piston retracts in afull power stroke against the expanding ignited gas pressure, thelittoral reaction engine segment's exhaust valve opens as the pistonbegins a compression stroke against the released steam pressure event(FIG. H-2, Sequence 5-6); (f) the ignition driven engine segment'spiston reaches the full expansion stroke position the exhaust valveopens and the piston forces the exhaust pressures out of said cylinderinto the linkage conduit manifold phase and the exhaust valve releasesthe compressed exhaust heat gasses into the linkage manifold; whereinthe littoral reaction engine segment's exhaust valve has closed and theintake valve has opened to receive the ignition driven engine segment'sgaseous exhaust discharge (FIG. H-2, Sequence 7-8); and thus a completeengine cycle is constituted by these steps of system and protocol, whichare repeated to deliver a means of thrust for energy conversionpurposes.
 101. The use of airborne particle clouds or dust suspensionsas a fuel source for propagating an explosion event series wherein theexplosive force is contained and transformed within a process systeminto a useable energy resource; whereas said dust suspensions arecomprised of one or more types of organic and/or inorganic particulatefuel resource categories including: a) coal dusts (including bituminous,sub-bituminous, anthracite, lignite and peat grades, Powder River Basincoals, brown coal, coal slurry, hydrocarbon fines, etc.); b) grain dusts(including corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, seed, nuts, hulls, etc.); c)biomass or vegetative dusts (including alfalfa, coffee, cocoa, tobacco,potato, cork, peels, shells, cellulosic matter, grass, biologicalmatter, fungi, aquatic plant life and algae, etc.); d) foodstuff dusts(including sugar, starch, flour, spices, malt, cereal, soy protein,etc.); e) agricultural by-product/waste dusts (including corncob, wheatstraw, animal meal, manure, etc.); f) wood and/or paper particle dusts(including, sawdust, bark, pulp, leaves, mulch, etc.); g) plasticparticle dusts (including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,polystyrene, poly vinyl chloride [PVC], epoxy, etc.); h) metal particledusts (including aluminum, magnesium, zinc, boron, tin, iron, silicon,etc.); i) textile fiber and/or particle dusts (including cotton, rayon,nylon, etc.); j) chemical particle dusts (including cellulose acetate,ethyl acetate, etc.); k) non-typical mineral and/or rock dusts(including coal-shale, oil-shale, tar sands, peats, petroleum solids,petrochemical and/or oil and gas products or byproducts, etc.); and l)waste material particle dusts (including solid waste, municipal waste,industrial waste, hazardous waste, shock sensitive and/or explosiveswaste, sewage, etc.)
 102. A means of using airborne particle clouds ordust suspensions as a fuel source for propagating an explosion eventseries wherein the explosive force is contained and transformed within aprocess system into a useable energy resource; whereas said dustsuspensions are comprised of one or more types of organic and/orinorganic particulate fuel resource categories including: a) coal dusts(including bituminous, sub-bituminous, anthracite, lignite and peatgrades, Powder River Basin coals, brown coal, coal slurry, hydrocarbonfines, etc.); b) grain dusts (including corn, wheat, soybeans, rice,seed, nuts, hulls, etc.); c) biomass or vegetative dusts (includingalfalfa, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, potato, cork, peels, shells, cellulosicmatter, grass, biological matter, fungi, aquatic plant life and algae,etc.); d) foodstuff dusts (including sugar, starch, flour, spices, malt,cereal, soy protein, etc.); e) agricultural by-product/waste dusts(including corncob, wheat straw, animal meal, manure, etc.); f) woodand/or paper particle dusts (including, sawdust, bark, pulp, leaves,mulch, etc.); g) plastic particle dusts (including polyethylene,polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, poly vinyl chloride [PVC],epoxy, etc.); h) metal particle dusts (including aluminum, magnesium,zinc, boron, tin, iron, silicon, etc.); i) textile fiber and/or particledusts (including cotton, rayon, nylon, etc.); j) chemical particle dusts(including cellulose acetate, ethyl acetate, etc.); k) non-typicalmineral and/or rock dusts (including coal-shale, oil-shale, tar sands,peats, petroleum solids, petrochemical and/or oil and gas products orbyproducts, etc.); and l) waste material particle dusts (including solidwaste, municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, shocksensitive and/or explosives waste, sewage, etc.)
 103. A method of usingairborne particle clouds or dust suspensions as a fuel source, whereinthe improvement comprises propagating an explosion event serieswhereupon the explosive force is contained, controlled, thermallystimulated and enhanced, and thereby transformed within said energygenerating system's process into a useable energy; whereas said dustsuspensions are comprised of one or more types of organic and/orinorganic particulate fuel resource categories including a fewrepresentative examples of each: a) coal dusts (including bituminous,sub-bituminous, anthracite, lignite and peat grades, Powder River Basincoals, brown coal, coal slurry, hydrocarbon fines, etc.); b) grain dusts(including corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, seed, nuts, hulls, etc.); c)biomass or vegetative dusts (including alfalfa, coffee, cocoa, tobacco,potato, cork, peels, shells, cellulosic matter, grass, biologicalmatter, fungi, aquatic plant life and algae, etc.); d) foodstuff dusts(including sugar, starch, flour, spices, malt, cereal, soy protein,etc.); e) agricultural by-product/waste dusts (including corncob, wheatstraw, animal meal, manure, etc.); f) wood and/or paper particle dusts(including, sawdust, bark, pulp, leaves, mulch, etc.); g) plasticparticle dusts (including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane,polystyrene, poly vinyl chloride [PVC], epoxy, etc.); h) metal particledusts (including aluminum, magnesium, zinc, boron, tin, iron, silicon,etc.); i) textile fiber and/or particle dusts (including cotton, rayon,nylon, etc.); j) chemical particle dusts (including cellulose acetate,ethyl acetate, etc.); k) non-typical mineral and/or rock dusts(including coal-shale, oil-shale, tar sands, peats, petroleum solids,petrochemical and/or oil and gas products or byproducts, etc.); and l)waste material particle dusts (including solid waste, municipal waste,industrial waste, hazardous waste, shock sensitive and/or explosiveswaste, sewage, etc.) In view of the preferred embodiments describedabove, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be embodied in forms other than those specificallydescribed herein without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics of the invention. Thus, the specific embodimentsdescribed herein are to be considered as illustrative and by no meansrestrictive. The above description is that of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention. Multiple modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that,within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described. Any reference to claimelements in the singular, e.g. using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or“said” is not construed as limiting the element to the singular.Further, it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the preceding claims. None of the aboveinventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seento describe the instant invention as claimed.